TRAIT VARIATIONS FOR SURVIVALBy: Gregory Hunt

Fifth Grade Science Standard 5 – Students will understand that

traits are passed from the parent to the offspring, and that the offspring may possess variations of these traits that may help or hinder survival in a given environment

Objective 2 – Describe how some characteristics could give a species a survival advantage in a particular environment

Indicator C - Describe how a particular physical attribute may provide an advantage for survival in one environment but not in another

Antelope Bear Lion Frog Lizard Monkey Deer Seal Assignment References

Video

Trait Variations

Assignment

Go to animals.nationalgeographic.com, look in the box on the top right of the page (titled animals), and choose two animals. Compare them, and write a paper about how they are similar and how they are different. Include how their differences help them survive in their habitat.

Mountain Goat

Not a true goat – an antelope Mostly found in the Rocky Mountains Coarse white fur Hooves made for rocks and ice Lives in herds (up to 10 goats) Eats grasses

Klipspringer

A breed of Antelope Lives in eastern and south-western Africa Short gray-brown fur coat Hooves are rubbery to grip rocky ledges Lives in pairs Eats flowers and fruit

African Lion

Lives on plains and in woodlands World’s second largest cat Hunt in groups Live in groups called “prides” Kill prey by biting it’s neck Rest for up to 20 hours a day

Mountain Lion

Lives in mountains, mainly in North America

Can range anywhere from 3 to 5 feet long Hunt alone Lives in groups called “prides” Kill prey by biting it’s neck Active in early mornings and evenings

Black Bear

Live in North America Can be 5 – 6 feet long Eat berries, roots, and small animals Hibernate in the winter Live alone Keen sense of smell

Polar Bear

Live in the Arctic regions Grow up to 8 feet long Eat berries, seals, caribou, and arctic

hares Remain active year round Live alone most of the year Are excellent swimmers

Northern Leopard Frog

Found in North America Live in marshes, swamps, and meadows

2 – 5 inches long Green with spots

Eats flies and spiders Nocturnal

Poison Dart Frog

Found in Central and South America Live in the rain forest Grow to be 1 ½ inches long Brightly colored Eat ants, termites, and small insects Eggs hatch in a tree

Northern Elephant Seal

Found along the Pacific Coast of America Eat fish and squid Can make long, deep dives Males have a large nose Mothers live off their fat until the pup is

weaned

Harp Seal

Found in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans

Eat fish and crustaceans Can make long, deep dives Adults have distinctive black marks on their

head and flanks Mother feeds the pups for 2 – 4 weeks, then

goes off to eat

Reindeer (Caribou)

Found in Northern Hemisphere Live in the Tundra Both males and females have antlers Their hooves prevent them from sinking in

the snow Eat grass, leaves, twigs, and moss The babies can run about an hour after birth

Whitetail Deer

Found all over the world (mostly) Live in forests, swamps, and brush lands Only males have antlers The white part of the tail warns the rest of

the herd of danger Eat grass, leaves, weeds, bark, nuts, moss,

and fruit Babies can walk immediately after birth

Komodo Dragon

Found in Indonesian Islands Live in grasslands near water Largest lizard in the world Has talon-like claws for hunting Eats deer, boars, and pigs Female lays 15 eggs a year

Gila Monster

Found in southwestern U.S. and Mexico Live in the desert One of only two poisonous lizards in the

world It’s short tale stores fat for when food is

scarce Eats small mammals, bird eggs, and

lizards Female lays 3 – 5 eggs a year

Black Spider Monkey

Found in South America Live in the rain forest Grows from 15 – 23 inches long Can use it’s tail like another arm Stay in the trees Eat fruit and nuts

Japanese Macaque

Found in Japan Live in high-altitude forests Grows from 19 – 29 inches long Can survive near-freezing temperatures Active on the ground and in trees Eats berries, buds, leaves, nuts, and bark

Macaque Video

http://youtu.be/69-ag4Hx1Cs Japanese Macaque often spend time in

hot springs to stay warm They have a thick coat of fur under their

normal fur, which doesn’t get wet from the springs

References

Mountain Goat Picture – Photograph courtesy Dave Grickson/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat/?source=A-to-Z

African Lion - Photograph by Chris Johns http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/african-lion/?source=A-to-Z

Klipspringer - Photo and by Sanjay Nayar http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/90173/view/

References

Mountain Lion - Photograph by Jim & Jamie Dutcher http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/

Black Bear - Photograph by Norbert Rosing http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/black-bear/?source=A-to-Z

Polar Bear - Photograph by Norbert Rosing http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/polar-bear/?source=A-to-Z

References

Northern Leopard Frog - Photograph by Bates Littlehales http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/northern-leopard-frog/?source=A-to-Z

Poison Dart Frog - Photograph by George Grall http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/poison-frog/?source=A-to-Z

Northern Elephant Seal - Photograph by Marc Moritsch http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/elephant-seal/

References

Harp Seal - Photograph by Norbert Rosing http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/harp-seal/?source=A-to-Z

Reinderr - Photograph by Todd Buchanan http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/caribou/?source=A-to-Z

Whitetail Deer - Photograph by Jim Richardson http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/white-tailed-deer/?source=A-to-Z

References

Komodo Dragon - Photograph by Kenneth Garrett http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/komodo-dragon/?source=A-to-Z

Gila Monster - Photograph by James P. Blair http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/gila-monster/?source=A-to-Z

Spider Monkey - Photograph by Joel Sartore http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/spider-monkey/?source=A-to-Z

References

Japanese Macaque - Photo by Evan McBride http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/entries/49639/view/

Lesson Idea – Trait Variations for Survival by Utah LessonPlans. Created June 2006. http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview?LPid=16258

Snow Monkey – Photograph by Richard Kelley http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/your-japan-photos/#/snow-monkey-nagano_30046_600x450.jpg