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Animal Tracks: 6-8
Animal Tracks: 6-8
Class Discussion:
What are some animals that may be found at the wetlands?
This is a long list! Various birds, fish, snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, salamanders, deer, coyote, opossum, fox, bobcat, rabbit, turtles, mice, insects, etc.
** No crocodiles, alligators, or bears live in our wetlands!
What are different ways that mammals move in the wetlands?
Mammals that live in wetlands may walk on four feet, swim,
Where does rainwater flow?
- What is a watershed
- Causes of pollution
- Topography of GA watersheds
- Stormwater Control
, or climb
What are different ways that reptiles move in the wetlands?
Reptiles that live in wetlands may walk on four feet, swim, and slither
What are different ways that birds move in the wetlands? (hint: think of birds that live near bodies of water)
Birds that live in the wetlands or other aquatic environments will fly and swim!
Birds that live in wetlands or other aquatic environments have adapted over time to be successful in this environment. What are examples of adaptations in aquatic birds?
- Webbed feet to swim and walk across mud
- Waterproof feathers
- Ability to dive into the water to catch prey
- Beak that is adapted to for catching prey in water
These adaptations are all inherited traits, or characteristics that are passed from parents to offspring. Acquired traits are characteristics that an organism learns during its lifetime.
- Different species of birds all around the world have evolved over time to have inherited traits that are practical to their home environment
Beak shape is one example of an inherited trait in birds. In the short video below, you will see how a Great Blue Heron (which lives in our wetlands!) uses its long beak to 'stab' at fish in the water.
Class Activity: Bird Beak Buffet
Adapted from Project WILD
- In this activity, we will examine how different bird beak types are inherited to help birds become more efficient at catching and eating prey!
- Begin the activity by splitting students into groups of 3-4; each group will receive a paper plate and a brown paper bag with 'prey' inside
- Have students place the plate and bag on the ground, and kneel or sit next to the plate
- Pass out 1 'beak' to each student, giving each group multiple different beaks (so students can compare beaks in their group)
- Once class is prepared, have one student per group dump the prey in the brown paper bag onto the paper plate
- When the instructor says 'Go!,' students will try to capture as much prey as they can with their beak-- using ONLY their beak (hold captured prey in empty hand)
- If students are too rough and knock prey off the plate, this prey can not be captured (it has gotten away!) -- although do make sure to pick it up at the end of the activity!
- After all prey has been captured, each group will discuss which beaks were more beneficial for each prey item
- Example-- students may find that chopsticks are best at picking up foam pieces, tweezers at picking up strings, and spoons at picking up pasta pieces
- Ask 1-2 groups to explain their findings
- Explain to students that each brown paper 'prey' bag contains different ratios of prey species to represent different environments!
- Give students a moment to determine which environment their beak would fit in best, and allow students to move groups
- Repeat capture activity with students in new groups that have an abundance of their targeted 'prey' (or have students trade beaks)
- Wrap up the activity by asking students to think of bird species that could correspond to their beak type
- Examples: woodpeckers pull insects out of bark like a pair of tweezers, herons stab at food quickly like chopsticks, pelicans scoop fish like a spoon
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