This book, Critters of Maine Pocket Guide, is a great starting point as you visualize what your project is going to become! Created with help from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Critters of Maine Pocket Guide gives basic information about 50 different Maine animals that you can choose from for your research. These descriptions are sure to catch your attention and pique your interest!

You can also find other books on your animal though Destiny Discover in the Benton Elementary Library!

Just type your animal’s name into the search bar at the top right of the page and click the pointing hand to get started! This is a great resource to use towards the end of your research to find extra details and information that will make your report truly... wild! Make sure to focus on the resources listed as animal stories, as these will be the most helpful to you as a researcher.

This is the best place to learn about your animal’s classification. Type your animal’s name into the search bar on the right side of the page and click the magnifying glass, then choose your animal from the list of animals. The classification will be on the right side of the page, and lots of information will be in the body of the website. Keep scrolling down to find a helpful table of animal statistics and additional sources.

This website has links to interesting information about some of Maine’s most famous critters: black bears, moose, loons, lobster, and more! The information in these links talk about how the animals relate to the state of Maine, as well as the information you need to complete your chapters. The links on the right side of the page will bring you to science-based resources for a variety of different Maine animals.

Gale: In Context is a database of reliable, research-based information just for elementary students. This resource is available through the Digital Maine Library. (See the tutorial above on how to access this and other Digital Maine Library Resources!) To get started just type your animal’s name into the search bar and click the magnifying glass. Focus on book articles for the best information.

World Book Kids is a database of reliable, resource-based information just for elementary students, but also contains links to more advanced information through World Book Student for students who are ready for the challenge. This resource is available through the Digital Maine Library. (See the tutorial above on how to access this and other Digital Maine Library Resources!) To get started, type your animal’s name into the search bar and click on the magnifying glass. Keep your eyes open for text features like maps that can show you additional information!

National Geographic Kids highlights exotic animals from all over the world, but also those found right here in Maine! To get started, click on the animals icon on the top middle of the page. From there choose your animal type, and scroll down until you find your animal (some will be there, some may not). This resource has amazing text features and videos to help you with your research!

Look on the right hand side of this website for a list of Maine's most famous mammals! If you see your animal, click on the link for more information. If your animal is a bird, reptile or amphibian, or an invertebrate, try these links! (these are a little harder to navigate, so you may need to ask for help!)