Teacher Guide

• Friday, March 18th - Registration closes

• Monday, March 21st through Friday, April 1st - Learn about the 2013 Eldorado flood and animal adaptations. Use this time to research and fill out your class bracket.

• Friday, April 1st - Brackets due

• Wednesday, April 6th - Results from Round 1 will be released.

• Wednesday, April 13th - Results from Round 2 will be released.

• Wednesday, April 20th - Results from Round 3 will be released and winning classrooms will be released.

• Monday, April 25th through Friday, April 29th - Option to schedule a Zoom call with a CPW staff member to discuss results.

• First Place will receive their choice of 3 items

  • Pocket guides

  • Class book

  • Poster

• Second place will receive their choice of 2 items

  • Pocket guides

  • Class book

  • Poster

• Third place will receive their choice of 1 item

  • Pocket guides

  • Class book

  • Poster

**Options for each item will be emailed to winners on April 6th.

The Colorado Critter Challenge provides an opportunity for students to become research scientists to predict the impact of a natural disaster on wildlife. In this scenario, students will investigate wildlife adaptations to determine which animals are most likely to survive an actual flood that occurred in Eldorado Canyon State Park in September of 2013. Animals are paired off in head-to-head "challenges" similar to a sports event bracket. Winners are determined by comparing adaptations and choosing the animal better suited to surviving the flood and its aftermath. Winners move on to the next bracket until one species is left. The remaining animal is designated the winner and, therefore, is the best adapted to survive the conditions created by the flood.

Standard 2.1. All living things share similar characteristics, but they also have differences that can be described and classified.

Standard 2.3. There is interaction and interdependence between and among living and nonliving components of ecosystems

• Sick, injured, very young or very old animals are most likely to die during a flood.

• The flood occurred in September when most animals are done with raising young.

• In September, some animals may be getting ready to hibernate. Flooding could affect their winter dens.

• Most offspring born or hatched during the spring or early summer are fully grown and living on their own by fall.

• Small animals are more likely to die from floods than larger animals.

• The ability to run fast, fly away or climb may be an advantage during a flood.

• Living underground can be a disadvantage during a flood.

• Animals with a flexible diet are more likely to adapt to limited food sources available after a flood.

• Animals with small home ranges, may not find new places for food, shelter and other needs.

Note to students:

Read all information carefully and take notes as you familiarize yourself with all the conditions created by a major flood event. Think about how these conditions could affect wildlife.

Instructions for Students

• Read all the information about the flood and each animal’s adaptations. See Colorado Wildlife.

• Compare the adaptations of each pair of animals in the brackets.

• Use the adaptations worksheet to record + (advantages) and − (disadvantages) of each animal’s adaptations.

• Decide which animal in the pair is better adapted to survive a flood.

• Work through all the brackets until you have one animal left.

• The remaining animal will be the one you believe has the best chance to survive the flood.