Transcript Trait Variationsx

By: 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

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.






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






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






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






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






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






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
Found in North America
Live in marshes, swamps, and meadows
 2 – 5 inches long
 Green with spots
 Eats flies and spiders
 Nocturnal








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





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





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






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






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






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






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






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






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



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



Mountain Goat Picture – Photograph courtesy
Dave Grickson/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/mountain-goat/?source=A-to-Z
African Lion - Photograph by Chris Johns
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/african-lion/?source=A-to-Z
Klipspringer - Photo and by Sanjay Nayar
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photocontest/2011/entries/90173/view/



Mountain Lion - Photograph by Jim & Jamie
Dutcher
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/mountain-lion/
Black Bear - Photograph by Norbert Rosing
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/black-bear/?source=A-to-Z
Polar Bear - Photograph by Norbert Rosing
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/polar-bear/?source=A-to-Z



Northern Leopard Frog - Photograph by Bates
Littlehales
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/
amphibians/northern-leopard-frog/?source=A-toZ
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/



Harp Seal - Photograph by Norbert Rosing
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/ma
mmals/harp-seal/?source=A-to-Z
Reinderr - Photograph by Todd Buchanan
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/caribou/?source=A-to-Z
Whitetail Deer - Photograph by Jim Richardson
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/white-tailed-deer/?source=A-toZ



Komodo Dragon - Photograph by Kenneth
Garrett
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/reptiles/komodo-dragon/?source=A-to-Z
Gila Monster - Photograph by James P. Blair
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/reptiles/gila-monster/?source=A-to-Z
Spider Monkey - Photograph by Joel Sartore
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/anima
ls/mammals/spider-monkey/?source=A-to-Z



Japanese Macaque - Photo by Evan McBride
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/travelermagazine/photo-contest/entries/49639/view/
Lesson Idea – Trait Variations for Survival by
Utah LessonPlans. Created June 2006.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview?LP
id=16258
Snow Monkey – Photograph by Richard Kelley
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/c
ountries/your-japan-photos/#/snow-monkeynagano_30046_600x450.jpg