Transcript Detective Tracking and Species Identifying (we hope!!)

Detective Tracking
and
Species Identifying
By: Deborah Dietzel
On a trip to GA my fellow science
teachers and I came across a whole
array of animal tracks in the mud.
We need your help in identifying
them by picking out certain
characteristics are unique to the
tracks.
Are you ready to
begin--->
Each animal species (group) leaves
a different track behind.
 For example the dog species leaves a footprint
that is different than our human species in
the sand on the beaches
Back
As scientists it is
important to be be able to
pick out characteristics
that are unique to the
track.
We can use this same
technique in identifying
plants too.
Back
What are we looking for ?
Take a close look at the track.
What kind of observations can you
conclude?
Can you rule out a particular species?
How is one track different than the other
one ?
Back
Here is what we came across.
Let’s begin out investigation
Does the track show
Only
Hand/Feet
tracks
Tail
Marks
(medium)
(challenge)
Hooves
(easy)
How many
fingers/toes/sections can you
distinguish?
2 3 4
Feral Pig
Finished Identifying
Try another track
Look Closer
Back
White Tail Deer
Try another track
Finished Identifying
Does the tail occur
Alongside
footprint
tracks?
Alone without
any other
tracks
alongside it
Diamondback Terrapin
Finished Identifying
Try another track
Diamondback Rattlesnake
Finished Identifying
Try another track
Are there claws/nails
present?
Do you know what the scientific name for our thumbs are?
YES
NO
Are the claw marks
further apart on track
than the other?
Yes
No
Do the tracks display a
thumb-like placement
as our handprints do?
YES
No
Opossum
Finished Identifying
Try another track
Opposable Thumbs
Human thumbs are called
opposable thumbs
because the thumb can be
moved around to touch the
other fingers, which gives
us the ability to grasp
things more easily, pick up
small objects, and eating
with one hand
Most primates (ape,
chimpanzees, gorillas,
and orangutans, and
monkeys) have
opposable thumbs or
toes..
Humans can move their thumb
farther across their hand than any
other primate.
Back
How many toes/fingers
does the track show?
3 4 5
Look Closer
Back
Striped Skunk
Finished Identifying
Try another track
How many toes/fingers
does the track show?
3 4 5
Look Closer
Back
Nine-Banded Armadillo
Finished Identifying
Try another track
Common Raccoon
Finished Identifying
Try another track
How many toes/fingers
does the track show?
2 3 4
Look Closer
Back
Measurements
¾ inch diameter
6-8 inch length
Wilson’s Plover
Finished Identifying
Try another track
Tricolored Heron
Finished Identifying
Try another track
Thanks For Your Help
You are
great
Science
Detectives!
Conclusion
1. What kinds of observations were easy to
characterize?
2. Can you rule out a particular species?
3. What are some differences between tracks?
4. If you did not follow this plan how would you go
across trying to figure out what animal the track
came from?
5. By just looking at the track, is there anything that
could help you figure out what the animal was?
Let’s make some further
observations about
Habitat
Food selections
Ecosystem Placement
Adaptations