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Activity 2: The echidna and the lyrebird
Activity 2: The echidna and the lyrebird
The echidna and the lyrebird are two animals that live in the Royal National Park. We see both of these animals close to the classrooms at the Royal National Park Environmental Education Centre. Visiting students are often lucky enough to see them up close during a bushwalk.
Echidna | World's WeirdestYouTube | Nat Geo WILD (2:05min)
Amazing! Bird Sounds From The Lyre Bird - David Attenborough - BBC WildlifeYouTube | BBC Studios (2:54min)
The echidna and the lyrebird both have their own set of unique adaptations. Watch the videos, then answer the following questions in your journal:
Something I learnt from watching the videos that I didn’t know before was....
What is an adaptation?
What is one structural (physical) adaptation of the echidna and the lyrebird?
Can you describe a behavioural adaptation of the echidna and the lyrebird?
Activity 3: Scientific drawings
Activity 3: Scientific drawings
Scientists have been recording and communicating pictures of living things for hundreds of years. Even though we can take pictures so easily now, scientists still draw them.
Scientific drawings often include labels and diagrams, questions or explanations. You don’t have to be an artist to create a successful scientific sketch. You simply have to take time, observe closely, and record what you see.
Pick one of these owls to label in your journal or a piece of paper. What features stand out to you? Write any observations or questions you might have.
Research one of the owls pictured and write down an adaptation. Is it a structural or behavioural adaptation?
Owls pictured:
Little owl
Hawk owl
Barred own
Great horned owl
Barn owl
Burrowing owl
Extension: compare and contrast the features and adaptations of two different owls
Activity 4: Create your own scientific illustration
Activity 4: Create your own scientific illustration
Are there any animals that share the environment near your home or school? Maybe you’ve noticed some birds fly past the window, an ant on the window sill or lizard on your driveway?
What you will need:
paper
pencil
coloured pencils (optional)
a place to sit and observe quietly
What to do:
Take some paper and a pencil and observe an animal outside your home or school. If you can’t do this, search for a picture of an animal on the internet and sketch that instead.
Label any structural adaptations you can see (hooked beak, hard shell, six legs).
Take a photo and upload it to your adaptations journal.
Extension: Observe an animal closely at home or at school. What adaptations can you see?
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