Bear Lab 

Bear Lab Materials

Directions : A hand-written document is required from each student. You will be recording data on tables that you create. Be sure to include proper labels. Measure in cm and inches.

       A. Bear Skull 

1.  Measure the length , width and height of the bear skull.  Use both cm and inches.   Create a data table to record this. ( Quantitative data)

2. Take a photo of the skull from the front, overhead and the side. Make a few observations with a few sentences. ( Qualitative data)

B. Bear Pelt ( Skin or Fur): 

3. Measure the length and width of the bear pelt. Record it in cm and inches on a data table.

4. Take a photo of the pelt. Make a few observations with a few sentences

C. Bear Paw Bones and Claws

5. a. Measure the length of the paw bone . Record on a data table in cm and inches.

b. Measure one claw and record it.

c. Take a photo of the paw bones. Make a few observations with a few sentences

D. Analysis of the Bear Skull and Teeth

6. Look at the bear skull : a. Count the total number of teeth. Record on a data table.

b. Identify the canine teeth.  Measure their length and record it.

c. Take a picture of the skull- showing the teeth , so that each type can be labeled in a photo.

d. Identify the incisors, premolars, and molars. Identify them on your photos.

e. Identify the Sagittal Crest. Label that on your photos.

f. Identify the Zygomatic arch. Label it on your photos.

E. Comparisons of Skulls: 

7.  Observe and compare the Wolf Skull and the Bear Skull.   Write several sentences comparing the skulls. Choose one other skull provided , observe and compare it to the Bear Skull.  { Possible Skull: Human,  gorilla, Paranthropus ( Ancient)}  Take a picture of the wolf or other skull to show the comparisons. Label the pictures.

F. Paw Prints: 

8. Observe the bear prints.  Take measurements and make a description.  Measure the coyote print and compare it to the bear print in a few sentences.  Take pictures to show the comparison.  Label the pictures. Make a few observations with a few sentences

G. Bear Signs: 

9. Observe the scat ( poop) .  Measure its length; it's big, how big? Take a picture of this bear sign.  Do some web research to find pictures of this and other signs of a bear's presence. Describe this in a few sentences.

H. Trail Cameras:

10. This is a real trail camera  used to track bears in the wild.  Do some web research to explain why and how this would be done.  Explain this in a few sentences.  Use the web and research a good brand and price for a trail camera.  What would you use?

I. Observe the Bear Models: 

11. Observe the little model of the bears and cub.  Describe these accurate models of bears in a few sentences.