ZOO PROJECT - Immaculate Heart High School

ZOO PROJECT
NAME: _________________________DATE: ________PERIOD: __________TEACHER:____________________
On Wednesday February 9 th , you will join your fellow classmates in biology on an all day
safari at the Los Angeles Zoo. Upon arriving at the zoo, you will take a self-guided tour. I
encourage you to take notes as you go on this tour. Your notes may come in handy when
you sit down to begin your project. Do not lose this handout! You will turn it in at the end
of the day! After your tour, you will be on your own to complete the other activities in this
packet. Please make sure that you are in groups of 3-4 at all times (p.s. you are turning in
your own project)! Never lose sight of a group member and never travel alone or in pairs.
Please be on your best behavior and under no circumstances are you to feed the animals. You
will report back to the front of the zoo at 2:25pm.
ZOO ACTIVITIES OUTLINE
Scavenger Hunt
Animal Observations (2)
ZOO PROJECT (INDEPENDENT) OUTLINE
Glog (Online Interactive Poster)
Scavenger Hunt (30 points):
Find 10 different animal species and complete the following table. You have been given
some clues!
Common
Name
1 double
wattled
cassowary
Scientific
Name
Habitat
Type
rainforest
Habitat
Location
Adaptations
Observations
2 Mandrillus
sphinx
omnivorous
1

3 mangroves
scrub
coastal dunes
grasslands
Aldabra Atoll
Seychelles
Islands
Indian Ocean
4 brown pelican pouch
5 Capra nubiana rugged desert
precipitous
cliffs
6 South Eastern
US Texas,
Louisiana,
Mississippi,
Alabama,
Georgia,
Florida
7 slow loris Nycticebis
coucang
ectothermic
“cold
blooded”
8 Tauraco
leucolophus
9 thorn scrub
deciduous
forest
copper
pigments
red turacin
and green
turacoverdin
white and
yellow stripes
scaly skin
10 Island fox Channel
Islands
California
2

Glog (Online Interactive Poster) (150 points):
You are now a zoologist working to create an online interactive poster that documents
interesting facts about an animal you observe and study at the zoo. You will observe and
study two animals of three that are assigned to you and upon your return to the lab, create a
Glog of only one animal (your choice between your two observed animals).
My Assigned Animals
Number: _______ Animal Name: ________________________________
Number: _______ Animal Name: ________________________________
Number: _______ Animal Name: ________________________________
At the Zoo: (40 points…20 per animal)
For each of your animals, spend a minimum of 15 minutes observing a single individual or a
group of individuals. Take very detailed notes about their behavior and other facts posted by
the exhibit. It is important that you concentrate on your observations. While observing
your animal take pictures of the animal and record video footage using a camcorder, digital
camera or a cell phone with video capabilities.
Back at the Lab: (110 Points)
You will be creating a Glog (Online Interactive Poster) depicting one animal of two that you
observe at the zoo. This interactive poster is similar to a page in a scrapbook. It gives you the
opportunity to share information about a topic in a fun and creative way. You will include
text, as well as photos and video footage. Thefollowing information must be included (you
may bullet point your information):
COMMON NAME (Genus species)-By (Your Name)
1. Taxonomy (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus species).
Make sure that you include the common name and the scientific name (Genus
species). (A list is preferred)
2. Pictures (2 Minimum) and Video Footage (2 minute minimum/3minute
maximum)
Include 1 photograph YOU TOOK AT THE LA ZOO AND include 1
photograph from the web. Include video footage of your animal engaging in
unique behavior.
***Note: Use a camera or camera phone that you have had success
downloading the pictures/video footage off of in the past…test this out
before going to the zoo!!***
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3. Direct Observation
Summarize your DIRECT observations from the zoo. Describe in detail the
behaviors you observed while at the zoo.
4. Habitat /niche
Describe where your animal lives (desert, rainforest, mountains, grasslands,
etc).
5. Feeding
What does your animal eat? Does it do anything special with respect to
foraging, hunting, or eating?
6. Reproduction
How does your animal find/court a mate? How long is gestation? # of
offspring? Are parental roles established in the caring of offspring? Etc.
7. Behavior
Does your animal have any unique behaviors? If so, what are they and why are
they important?
8. Adaptations
What characteristic(s) does this species possess to help it survive in its
environment? (physical and behavioral)
9. Conservation status
Is this animal listed as endangered or threatened? What factors are impacting
the population of this species? (i.e. over hunting, habitat loss, etc.) What
efforts are being made to conserve this species?
10. Links
Provide 3 links to other RESPECTABLE (no Wiki!) websites to find out more
about the species.
NOTE: This packet (notes, scavenger hunt and 2 animal observations) are due as you board
the bus to return to school.
THIS PROJECT IS WORTH 180 POINTS
DUE DATE: February 28, 2011
KEY:
180-162 A IF YOU NEED HELP, PLEASE ASK!
161-144 B
143-126 C GOOD LUCK!!!
125-108 D
107-0 F
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Animal 1:
Date: ___________________ Time End: ___________________
Location: ___________________ Common Name: ___________________
Weather: ___________________ Scientific Name: ___________________
Time Start: ___________________
Notes on behavior:
5

Animal 2:
Date: ___________________ Time End: ___________________
Location: ___________________ Common Name: ___________________
Weather: ___________________ Scientific Name: ___________________
Time Start: ___________________
Notes on behavior:
6