Educational Documents

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Table of Contents Animal Skull Investigation ..................................................................................................................................... (2) Bat Crossword 1 ...................................................................................................................................................... (4) Bat Crossword 2 ...................................................................................................................................................... (5) Bat Masks................................................................................................................................................................ (6) Bat Names & Faces ..................................................................................................................................................(8) Monarch Life Cycle ................................................................................................................................................(9) Blending Butterflies ..............................................................................................................................................(10) Awesome Opossums .............................................................................................................................................(13) Skunk Activity ......................................................................................................................................................(15) Prickly Porcupines .................................................................................................................................................(17) Creatures of the Night Crossword ..........................................................................................................................(19) Let’s Talk Turkey Anatomy ...................................................................................................................................(21) Let's Talk Turkey... ................................................................................................................................................(23) Urban Encounters Food Web .................................................................................................................................(24)

Name: _______________________

Animal Skull Investigation CASE # 123

Wrap-up for Junior Investigators

Herbivore: An animal that eats mostly plants Carnivore: An animal that eats mostly meat Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and meat Insectivore: An animal that eats mostly bugs YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Read the list of Texas wildlife suspects below and think about what each animal might eat. Write “H” next to animals that are Herbivores Write “C” next to animals that are Carnivores Write “O” next to animals that are Omnivores Write “I” next to animals that are Insectivores ______ Coyote ______ Badger ______ Armadillo ______ White-tailed Deer ______ Rattlesnake ______ Porcupine ______ Pronghorn Antelope ______ Opossum ______ Skunk ______ Mountain Lion ______ Bobcat ______ Raccoon ______ Mexican Free-tailed Bat © Texas Wildlife Association

Name: _______________________

Animal Skull Investigation CASE # 123

Wrap-up for Junior Investigators

Herbivore:

An animal that eats mostly plants

Carnivore:

An animal that eats mostly meat

Omnivore:

An animal that eats both plants and meat

Insectivore:

An animal that eats mostly bugs

Read the list of Texas wildlife suspects below and think about what each animal might eat.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

Write “H” next to animals that are Herbivores Write “C” next to animals that are Carnivores Write “O” next to animals that are Omnivores Write “I” next to animals that are Insectivores ______ Coyote ______ Badger ______ Armadillo ______ White-tailed Deer ______ Rattlesnake ______ Porcupine ______ Pronghorn Antelope ______ Opossum ______ Skunk ______ Mountain Lion ______ Bobcat ______ Raccoon ______ Mexican Free-tailed Bat © Texas Wildlife Association

C

I

O

H

C

H

O

C

I

O

C

O

H

Across1. An animal that is active at night is called _________________.2. All bats can see; no bats are ___________.3. The scientific name for bats, which means hand-wing, is ______________________.4. A kind of bat whose face looks like a dog is a flying ___________.5. A bat that feeds on insects is called _________________.6. Most mother bats produce only ________ (how many) baby a year.7. Many bats spend part of the year living in _________________.8. Echolocation used by bats is a kind of _________________.

Down1. The process of navigating and locating food using sound is called ________________.2. A bat is a _________________________.3. Nectar bats _______________ flowers, just like hummingbirds.4. An animal that is disappearing is said to be _________________.5. There are more than a ________________ (how many) kinds of bats.6. A baby bat is called a ________________.7. About 70% of all bats eat_____________.8. A group of bats living together is called a ___________________.

AnswersAcross: 1. nocturnal; 2. blind; 3, chiroptera; 4, fox; 5, insectivorous; 6, one; 7, caves; 8, sonar. Down: 1, echolocation; 2, mammal; 3, pollinate; 4, endangered; 5, thousand; 6, pup; 7, insects; 8, colony.

Chooseyouranswers

blind

caves

chiroptera

colony

echolocation

endangered

fox

insects

insectivorous

mammal

nocturnal

one

pollinate

pup

sonar

thousand

1. 2.

2.

1.

5.

5. 3.

6.

6.

4.

4.

3.

Across1. Bats are the only kind of mammal that can ____________.2. An animal that is disappearing is said to be ____________.3. Most mother bats produce only ____________ (how many) baby each year.4. A bat is a ____________.5. Most bats are active only at ____________.6. Many bats use ____________ to navigate and find food.

Down1. Most bats in the world eat ____________.2. ____________ are the only mammals that truly fly.3. A baby bat is called a ____________.4. A bat’s wing is very similar to our own ____________.5. All bats can see, no bats are ____________.6. Many bats spend at least part of the year living in ____________.

AnswersAcross: 1. fly; 2. endangered; 3. one; 4. mammal; 5. night; 6. sound.Down: 1. insects; 2. Bats; 3. pup; 4. hand; 5. blind; 6. caves.

Chooseyouranswers

caves

sound

blind

night

hand

mammal

one

pup

endangered

bats

fly

insects

Bat Mask ActivityCalifornia leaf-nosed bat

Materials:

• Heavy paper

• Crayons or color markers

• Scissors

• Hole punch

• Elastic band or Popsicle stick

Background InformationOne of the most fascinating aspects of bats is their facial anatomy. The great diversity of face types is

due to differences in lifestyle and diet. For example, some bats that feed on nectar need long, thin

faces to insert into flowers, while insect-eating bats have shorter muzzles and stronger jaws to chomp

down on insects.

Copy the mask on heavy paper or card stock, cut out the bat face, punch holes on both sides and

attach elastic band to keep it in place. Or, you can glue Popsicle-type sticks to the inside bottom of

the mask so the child can hold it in front of his or her face. Children can use their imaginations when

coloring the masks.

California leaf-nosed bat

This bat is called a “gleaner” because it snatches crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, moths and other

insects off leaves or the ground as it flies above the desert floor. It has larger eyes than most

insectivorous bats. Its huge ears, which give it excellent hearing, enable it to hear even the footsteps

of walking insects. The California leaf-nosed bat lives in the western United States and Mexico.

California leaf-nosed bat

Bat Names and FacesThere are more than 1,250 different kinds of bats in the world

and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Color these unusual bat faces, then match them with their names.

Chapin’s Free-tailed Bat(Africa)

Known for its “punk” look.

Tomes’ Sword-nosed Bat(Central and South America)

A Latin American bat with a

long, pointed “leaf” on its nose.

Hammer-headed Fruit Bat(Africa)

A fruit bat with a very distinctive head.

Spotted Bat(United States)

A very colorful bat, this one is black

with white spots and large, pink ears.

1

2

3

4

Answers: 3, 1, 4, 2

Monarch Life Cycle

Caterpillar (5 Instars)

Chrysalis

A Monarch will lay up to 500 eggs (one egg per leaf) on the underside of the milkweed leaves.

Egg

Once the egg hatches, the caterpillar will eat its eggshell and then begins to eat the milkweed leaves. This makes the caterpillars poisonous to potential predators

The caterpillar will then find a sheltered location like a branch, attach with a spot of silk it spins on the branch, and create its chrysalis.

The monarch will remain in the chrysalis for approximately one week before emerging as a butterfly.

Adult

After emerging from the chrysalis, it must hang from the branch for several hours to dry out its wings before the butterfly is able to fly.

Images © Florida Center for Instructional Technology

There are 5 larval stages referred to as instars and the caterpillar will shed its skin (molt) between stages. This process will take approximately three weeks.

Blending Butterflies

Written by Jennifer Page Adapted by Texas Wildlife Association

Objective: To explore and simulate camouflage in animals. Materials: Butterfly pattern Coloring pencils or Crayons Background Information: Traits are inherited and some traits make it easier for living things to survive and reproduce. Camouflage is a trait that makes it very hard to see an animal in its natural habitat. Camouflage is an important factor in animal survival, allowing the animal to hide from its predators. Camouflage is also a trait beneficial to predators, allowing the predator cover while hunting its prey. An animal that is best camouflaged in its environment has the best chance to survive, reproduce, and pass its color pattern on to its offspring. The colorful patterns may be the result of genetic diversity or mutation. Examples of camouflage: Concealing Coloration - Using coloration to hide against a background of the same color. Many desert animals have tan or muted coloring that blends in with the sand that surrounds them. Desert Bighorn Sheep and Texas Horned Lizards are great examples of camouflaged desert animals. Disruptive Coloration - This type of camouflage breaks up the solid outline of an animal with spots, stripes, or other patterns that resemble the animals’ habitat. When a white - tailed deer fawn is born, it has white spots on its back, allowing the fawn to hide on the ground among the grasses. A fawn’s spots look like rays of light peaking through the trees. Disguises - When animals or parts of their bodies resemble objects in their environment. The insect called the walking stick looks like a small tree branch or twig. Counter Shading - When the coloration of the upper parts of an animal is darker than its underside. This causes the effect of sunlight to be counteracted. Most whales are counter shaded. If you look up at a whale, you would see a light color, just as if the whale was not there – it blends in with the sky. If you look down on a whale, you see darkness like the ocean floor. Mimicry - When an animal copies, or mimics, a color or form of something else. Many butterflies use mimicry to survive. Hairstreak butterflies have false antennae and spots on the back of their wings. Birds will peck at the wrong end trying to grab the head, allowing the butterfly to get away. Procedure: Day 1 ---- 1. Write your name on the back of your butterfly. 2. Design a butterfly so that its camouflage allows it to hide somewhere in the classroom. 3. Make the butterfly as invisible as possible. 4. Tape the butterfly in its “hiding spot.” Day 2 ---- 5. While sitting in your seat, count the number of butterflies you can see.

Blending Butterflies Student Worksheet Data: Total # of butterflies in classroom # of butterflies seen

Questions: 1. What type(s) of camouflage were used to disguise the butterflies in the classroom? 2. Which type of camouflage was the best at hiding the butterflies? 3. Why do you think this type of camouflage made it difficult to see the butterflies?

4. For each type of environment listed, describe a possible type of camouflage. Explain why this type of camouflage would help an animal survive to reproduce.

Environment Type of Camouflage Explanation

OCEAN

RAINFOREST

DESERT

PRAIRIE

Opossums have more teeth than any North American

mammal. An adult opossum has teeth.

An opossum’s tail is prehensile. They use it to grasp on to limbs

while climbing in trees. Opossums CAN or CANNOT

hang from their tails for long periods of time.

Virginia Opossum

Opossum paws are like human hands. They have 5

fingers on their front feet and 5 fingers on their hind feet, one of which is a t _ _ _ _.

Female opossums, called Jills, carry their young, called Joeys, in a pouch. Opossums are the only m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in North America.

Opossums have more teeth than any North American

mammal. An adult opossum has 50 teeth.

An opossum’s tail is prehensile. They use it to grasp on to limbs

while climbing in trees. Opossums CAN or CANNOT

hang from their tails for long periods of time.

Virginia Opossum

Opossum paws are like human hands. They have 5

fingers on their front feet and 5 fingers on their hind feet, one of which is a thumb.

Female opossums, called Jills, carry their young, called Joeys, in a pouch. Opossums are the only marsupials in North America.

Skunks spray, very accurately, up to 10 feet to keep their

p away!

Skunks are omnivores; they eat small mammals, insects, reptiles, fruit, eggs, garbage, and carrion

(dead animals).

Striped Skunk

Skunks have various methods to deter predators, first they will s their feet, grunt, and then

turn their tail towards the predator, all before spraying. Their last resort is to bite the predator.

Skunks are nocturnal; they are primarily active at n .

© TPWD

Skunks spray, very accurately, up to 10 feet to keep their

predators away!

Skunks are omnivores; they eat small mammals, insects, reptiles, fruit, eggs, garbage, and carrion

(dead animals).

Striped Skunk

Skunks have various methods to deter predators, first they will stomp their feet, grunt, and then turn their tail towards the predator, all before spraying.

Their last resort is to bite the predator.

Skunks are nocturnal; they are primarily active at night.

© TPWD

North American Porcupine Porcupines are born with quills,

but they are soft like hair. Porcupines

CAN or CANNOT

shoot their quills at a predator.

Porcupines are members of the

r _ _ _ _ _ family.

Porcupines eat leaves and twigs. Another term for plant-eater is

h _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

North American Porcupines are arboreal. This means they

CAN or CANNOT

climb trees.

Porcupines are nocturnal; this means they are active during the

NIGHT or DAY.

Track Image ©British Colombia Adventure Network

North American Porcupine Porcupines are born with quills,

but they are soft like hair. Porcupines

CAN or CANNOT

shoot their quills at a predator.

Porcupines are members of the

r o d e n t family.

Porcupines eat leaves and twigs. Another term for plant-eater is

h e r b i v o r e.

North American Porcupines are arboreal. This means they

CAN or CANNOT

climb trees.

Porcupines are nocturnal; this means they are active during the

NIGHT or DAY.

Track Image ©British Colombia Adventure Network

Across 1. Ringtails and opossums eat both meat and plants. This means they are __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. 3. Rats and ringtails use their tail to __ __ __ __ __ __ __ when moving along narrow ledges and branches. 5. Rats have __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ on their face to help them sense and feel their way through tight places. 7. These animals consider leftover food in our trash and pet food that is left outside to be a tasty __ __ __ __ __. 9. Rats, ringtails, and opossums are all mostly active at night, which makes them __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. 10. The area where these animals live and find food is known as their __ __ __ __ __ __ __. 12. The Virginia __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is a large cat sized animal with grey fur, a triangular head, and a pouch. 14. Opossums have a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ tail that they use to hold objects. Down 2. Tapetum lucidum is a layer of tissue that causes __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. Nocturnal animal eyes appear to glow if you shine a light at them in the dark. 4. All of these animals have special __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ that allow them to see at night time and live in an urban habitat. 6. The __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is a nocturnal mammal related to the raccoon. 8. Sometimes these animals can __ __ __ __ __ you by getting into your garbage and eating your pet’s food. 11. A Norway Rat is a kind of __ __ __ __ __ __ like mice or squirrels. 13. Opossums are the only __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in North America. This means the female has a pouch in which she carries her young.

Creatures of the Night: Trick or Treat Crossword

©De Marque Inc.

©University of Missouri Press

©Mark Hicks

Across 1. Ringtails and opossums eat both meat and plants. This means they are __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. 3. Rats and ringtails use their tail to __ __ __ __ __ __ __ when moving along narrow ledges and branches. 5. Rats have __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ on their face to help them sense and feel their way through tight places. 7. These animals consider leftover food in our trash and pet food that is left outside to be a tasty __ __ __ __ __. 9. Rats, ringtails, and opossums are all mostly active at night, which makes them __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. 10. The area where these animals live and find food is known as their __ __ __ __ __ __ __. 12. The Virginia __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is a large cat sized animal with grey fur, a triangular head, and a pouch. 14. Opossums have a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ tail that they use to hold objects. Down 2. Tapetum lucidum is a layer of tissue that causes __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. Nocturnal animal eyes appear to glow if you shine a light at them in the dark. 4. All of these animals have special __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ that allow them to see at night time and live in an urban habitat. 6. The __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is a nocturnal mammal related to the raccoon. 8. Sometimes these animals can __ __ __ __ __ you by getting into your garbage and eating your pet’s food. 11. A Norway Rat is a kind of __ __ __ __ __ __ like mice or squirrels. 13. Opossums are the only __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in North America. This means the female has a pouch in which she carries her young.

Creatures of the Night: Trick or Treat Crossword

©De Marque Inc.

©University of Missouri Press

©Mark Hicks

O M N I V O R E S

N O C T U R N A L

P R E H E N S I L E

W H I S K E R S

B A L A N C E

O P O S S U M

H A B I T A T

T R E A T

Y

S

H

I

E

I

G

A

I

L

R

C

K

R

D

E

N

T

D

A

P

A

T

I

N

S

A

S

U

P

I

A

L

Track image © Purdue University

LET’S TALK TURKEY

• Label the Tom Turkey using the words below:Beard Caruncles Snood

Spur Tail feathers Wing feathers

• Use the feather below to make your Turkey Call.

Track image © Purdue University

LET’S TALK TURKEY

• Label the Tom Turkey using the words below:Beard Caruncles Snood

Spur Tail feathers Wing feathers

• Use the feather below to make your Turkey Call.

Beard

Spur

Wing feathers

Tail feathers

Caruncles

Snood

LET’S TALK TURKEY_____________________________________

Objective

For students to create a turkey call which mimics the sound of a female Wild Turkey (hen).

Materials

Background

By using a call, a person is imitating not the male Wild Turkey, but the Wild Turkey hen. The male turkey, also known as a Tom or Gobbler, makes a gobble sound to alert the hens to his location. The hens then come to the male to breed. A hunter uses the call of the hen to broadcast to the toms that “she” is in the area. The tom in turn gobbles to let “her” know of his location and then may travel to the location of the call. Young turkeys, also known as poults, inherit the ability to make calls from their parents. Procedure

1. Cut a 13 centimeter piece of the plastic drinking straw. Discard the rest. 2. Wrap a piece of masking tape around the uncut end of the straw several times.

The masking tape thickens the end of the straw, forming a ‘mouthpiece’ which is easier to suck on than

the straw alone. Be careful not to cover up the end of the straw.

To use the turkey call, place the taped end of the straw in your mouth, halfway between the front of your lips and the corner of your mouth. Cup you hands over the end of the call to create an echo chamber for the sound. Now suck on the straw in little short breaths, much like making a “kissing” noise. The sound mimics a call of a hen turkey. It gets easier with practice.

Ideas for decorating the call (optional)

1. Cut a piece of leather lace or yarn, between 30 and 60 centimeters long. Holding the ends together, slide on two (2) plastic pony beads. Slide the beads at least five (5) centimeters from the loose ends.

2. Separate the plastic beads several centimeters apart and insert the straw between the pieces of leather lace. Push the beads together to hold the straw in place.

3. Slide additional pony beads on each loose end. 4. Attach feathers by inserting the end of the feather inside the end pony

beads, alongside the leather lace. 5. If using yarn, the beads and feathers may require glue to stay in place.

Not Provided

Plastic drinking straw Masking tape Scissors Leather lace or yarn (optional) Plastic pony beads (optional) Feathers from a craft store (optional) Glue (optional)

Photo © Tony Northrup (http://www.northrup.org/)

Color in the animals below. Draw a line between each predator and its prey.

Urban Occupants: Food Web