Design a Critter Project

Pre-AP Biology

Ms. Haut

Objectives

• Design a new animal with adaptations best suited to its environment.

• Explain how your animal’s adaptations help it survive in its habitat.

Compare Adaptations

http://www.cometowickenburg.com/Jack%20rabbit%202.jpg http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/images/Portraits/snowshoehare.jpg

Compare Adaptations

http://www.wallpaper-network.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/bird_12-931447.jpg

http://bcsberlin.k12.nj.us/CPUsite/Lessons/Fish%20Pictures/PufferFish.jpg

Compare Adaptations

http://dhreno.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/mtnlion.jpg http://www.michiganfilmoffice.org/cm/images/content/789px-White-tailed_deer.jpg

Project Description

1. Think of adaptations a particular animal would need to better survive in a particular environment. What functions would they serve?

Project Description

2. Draw a picture of the animal in its environment.

– Any physical adaptations should be depicted in the picture.

– Key features of environment must be shown.

– Picture must be in color.

http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/28/92728-050-92E757D6.jpg

Project Description

3. Write an essay describing the following

– Description of the environment—climate, temperature, plant life, amount of precipitation, amount of sunlight, terrain etc.

– Clear description of your animal’s adaptations, including their function

http://community.greencupboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/45477_1.jpg

Project Description• Additional items to consider

and determine:– What does your critter eat?

How does it obtain its food?– What are its natural predators?– How does it live/survive (daily

activities)?– How does it protect itself?– Any seasonal behaviors?– Any differences between

males and females?– Adaptations must be realistic

to suit the environment.

• Items not to be considered:– Cannot be a magical creature– Should not be identical to

existing animals—you should be creative

http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/labs/Owings/images/Fig3SquirrelTailFlagging.jpg

Determining Project Criteria

• Roll the die to select the constraints of your project:– Animal type– Whether your animal

is a predator or prey species

– Habitat Temperature– Amount of

precipitation– Habitat type

http://www.stanford.edu/~siegelr/tz/tz2006/predatorandprey.jpg