Mystery Species

Overview:

After discussing the conditions of different habitats, students will design a “mystery” animal that would be able to survive there.

Objectives: Students will be able to…

• …understand how adaptations are related to habitat conditions.
• …compare and contrast cold and warm-water habitats.
• …identify and explain adaptations of different organisms.
• …understand and connect how adaptations are linked to survival.

Materials:

• Research materials
• Drawing materials

Procedure:

1. Begin with discussion questions to generate students’ ideas about adaptations and the form and function of organisms and how they relate to survival. Facilitate the discussion and help them to recognize there are many different types of adaptations, both physical and behavioral, that relate to habitat conditions. Temperature regulation, water needs, food source, prey/predator relationships, etc…
2. Make predictions about the adaptations of organisms in specific habitats.
3. Have students research the conditions of different habitats and ecosystems.
4. Students then construct a “mystery” animal for a given habitat. Every physical characteristic represented in their drawing should be justifiable to habitat conditions. Does form accurately fit function in their pictures?
5. Have students label all parts of their drawing with explanations of each physical characteristic and how it will help them survive.

Extensions:

• Reverse the procedures – have students design an imaginary animal. Then have different groups design and describe a habitat to fit all the adaptations of the “mystery” animal.
• Students can construct models of the habitats or their “mystery” animals.
• Write a story about a day in the life of their mystery animal.
• Research actual species that exist in those habitats and compare and contrast their actual adaptations with the “mystery” animals