Zoo Scavenger Hunt
High School of Hospitality Management, Manhattan
Summer Research Program for Science Teachers
Attn: All Teachers
In all student packets there should be:
5 pages of science (14 science questions and 1 page science vocabulary)
Students are to remain in their assigned group the entire duration of the trip and to complete the entire packet before leaving the zoo. When your students have completed their packets please sign on the front of the packet labeled teacher sign off to indicate that your students have completed the packet. At this point you may dismiss your students, hang on to their packets and bring them to school on Wednesday.
For the science component student must visit the animals, as well as read the information plaques in order to write them down for their scavenger hunt. Students may work as a team, however please discourage having students just copy from their group members.
Places to visit: Pick up a map on your way into the zoo.
Science Vocabulary
Habitat –a particular environment where an organism lives
Adaptation- any kind inherited trait that improves the chances of survival and reproduction for an organism. A characteristic
Predator-a type of carnivore that attack and kill their prey and feed on their bodies
Prey- Animals that are hunted by predators
Nocturnal- an animal that is awake primarily at night
Herd- a group of animals that travel and live together
Camouflage- a protective adaptation that enables an organism to visually blend into the environment.
Herbivore – animals that feed on only plants
Omnivore- animals that feed on both plants and other animals
Carnivore- animals that feed on other animals
Endangered Species – a population of organisms which is either (a) few in number (b) threatened by a changing environment or predation parameters and is at risk for becoming extinct.
Captivity- not in the wild, in zoos
Competition- a struggle
Ecosystem- all the living and non-living things in a given environment
Name:_________________________ Teacher Sign off:________________________
Find an animal that fits the following description write the name of the animal, its habitat, diet and an adaptation that allows the animal to survive in their natural environment.
Example: Find an animal
that is yellow
Animal: giraffe
Habitat: African
grasslands, tropical climate, low rainfall, dominant plant grasslands
Diet: Leaves
and twigs
Adaptation:
black tongue to prevent sunburn
1)
Find 2 animals that are considered predators
& name their prey.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet/Prey:
Adaptation:
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet/Prey:
Adaptation:
2)
Find an animal with their baby. Describe their interaction.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Interaction with young:
3)
Find an animal known for its good eyesight.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
4)
Find an animal that is nocturnal.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
5)
Find an animal that travels in a herd or a pack.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
What are some advantages of traveling in a herd or pack?
6)
Find an animal that uses camouflage.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
7)
Find an animal that is a(n)
Herbivore
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Omnivore
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Carnivore
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
8)
Find 4 animals that are on the endangered species list
and explain why they are on this list
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Why are they on the list?
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Why are they on the list?
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Why are they on the list?
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Why are they on the list?
9)
Find an animal that was born in captivity
(Must see posted sign)
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
10) Find two animals that exist in the same
ecosystem.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
11) Find an example of competition
for resources
Animals:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
What resource might they
compete over?
12) Find an animal that is lives alone in the wild.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
13) Find an unusual looking animal.
Animal:
Habitat:
Diet:
Adaptation:
Why do you consider it
unusual?
14.) Summary:
Explain how environment (habitat) can influence whether an adaptation is
beneficial or not. Use an example.
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