Week 4
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Animals and Their Habitats
Spring often makes us think of animals. We start to hear more birds chirping, we can see animal tracks in the melting snow and in the mud, and we start to see the fish swimming in the pond.
This week we will be exploring what spring means for the animals.
BIRDS
The birds have been chirping with the anticipation of warmer weather. Have you been hearing and seeing more birds lately?
American Robin
Learn all about the Massachusetts State Bird
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped chickadee; photo by eugene beckes Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution)
Black-Capped Chickadee calls and sounds. From Lesley the Bird Nerd - see more of her great bird videos here on YouTube
Birds in the Spring North From Lesley the Bird Nerd
When you wake up in the mornings and when you go outside try to listen for some bird conversation.
This nice bird identifier from The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the UK can help you identify some of our local bird songs.
Spring and Summer Bird pictures from Mass Audubon Some of the most common Massachusetts birds
Learn about the Mass Audubon and become a nature hero.
Check out Journey North Tracking Migration and Seasons
Learn about earthworms, frogs, birds, and more!
Nature Journal
This would be a great time to add birds into your nature journal.
Here are some great place to learn how to sketch birds.
Learn to Draw Birds with David Sibley Get started with his tutorial and videos on Audubon.
The simple act of drawing can change the way you look at the world—and the way you understand birds.
David Allen Sibley
CLASSIFYING ANIMALS
classify: arrange (a group of people or things) in classes or categories according to shared qualities or characteristics.
Now that we've met some birds, let's learn about classifying animals.
There are many different kinds of animals. Scientists classify animals based on their similarities. One way we can sort animals is if they are a vertebrate (have a backbone) or an invertebrate (does not have a backbone). Some animals, like dogs, cats, birds, lizards, fish, and even humans have backbones. Other animals, such as squid, worms, bugs, and clams do not have backbones.
Vertebrate and Invertebrate Animals by Elesapiens
Animal Classification - Different Types of Vertebrate Animals with Brainy Songs
You'll find yourself signing this catchy song's chorus.
B.R.A.M.F. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish.
Each animal has interesting facts, amazing photos, and with some you can even listen to their sound.
ANIMAL HABITAT- A place where animals live and grow
We can look at the habitat of each animal. A habitat can include everything an animal needs to survive like food, shelter, and water.
Think about what each of the animals need to survive. Why do you think they chose that place to live?
Adding Animals to Your Nature Journal
You don't need to know what the animal is called or it's classification. You can just describe what you see.
Is it fuzzy, hairy or smooth? Is it bigger than a baseball? Does the animal live in a pond, or is it living on a log? Try to think of as many details to draw, write or tell someone about.
Describe the coloring and pattern on the animals body.
You could write some of the details into your journal.
Where does the animal live?
What do you think the animal eats?
How big is the animal?
What else do you notice?
ANIMALS TO LEARN ABOUT
Find information for a variety of mammals found in Western Massachusetts with the Mass Audubon.
On their site you can choose from many animals that you would like to learn more about.
Rabbits and Hares
Rabbits vs. Hares - Remarkable Rabbits by PBS Learning media. We know so little about rabbits and hares that most of us couldn't tell them apart! Click on the picture to watch 3 quick videos to learn about the unique difference.
Rabbits vs. Hares 1:27
New England Cottontail 0:58
Antelope Jackrabbit 1:10
Raccoons
Have you seen a racoon? Racoons don't hibernate so you might see them all winter long. Racoons are mostly nocturnal (active at night), and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), but they are also active during the day if there is food available. They are highly intelligent creatures. Learn more at Mass Audubon.org
Turtles
Turtles
There are 10 species of turtles in Massachusetts. They range from the tiny bog turtle, which measures 3-4” long, to the snapping turtle, which can reach up to 19” long. In addition, five sea turtles have also been found offshore, or stranded on beaches.
Turtle species in Massachusetts at Mass Audubon
OBSERVING ANIMALS
The world outside your door is filled with things that buzz, tweet, squawk, flutter, scurry, build, burrow, hoot, chase, pounce, and soar. It’s fun, free, available 24/7, and there’s always something new! Click here for some ideas from The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust® that you can do right in your own neighborhood
In this short video there are a few animals to watch for around your neighborhood.
Backyard Wildlife 1:56
ANIMALS NATIVE TO MASSACHUSETTS
Watch for these animals in our area
On Your Own You Can Learn About:
Grassland animals from fields, meadows and farmland, including rabbits, skunks, woodchucks and more.
Woodland animals from forests of coniferous and deciduous trees including squirrels, opossums, chipmunks, deer mice foxes and more.
Animals that live in our ponds, lakes and rivers, like beavers who build dams and lodges with multiple entrances.
Share with us what you learn so we can add it to our Shared Space page!
Would you like to learn about the lakes and ponds of Massachusetts?
Click on the guide book to read about our lakes and ponds and the amazing animals and plants that inhabit them.
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Lakes and Ponds Program
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