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Lesson 1

Summary:
Students design and create imaginary reptiles, and write reports including descriptions of the reptiles adaptations.

Connections:
Herpetology, Adaptations, Environments

Time:
1 or 2 45-minute class periods

Season:
warm fall or warm spring

Materials:
drawing paper, construction paper, various art supplies, reusable art junk, a list of various reptiles and their adaptations

TEKS:
5.1A,B 5.2A thru E 5.3A,B,D,E 5.5A,B 5.6B,C 5.9A,B,C 5.10A,B

Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. identify and describe the advantages of a reptileÕs adaptations
2. evaluate the importance of adaptations to reptiles

Procedure:
1. Read to the class, the background information on green iguanas. Discuss with the students the various adaptations given in the background section of this activity. Brainstorm a list of reptile characteristics, name the reptiles with such characteristics, and describe the advantage of the adaptation represented by the characteristic.

2. Tell the students they will each have a chance to design their own original reptile - one well adapted to its environment. Each students should decide:

*where the reptile will live
*what it will eat
*its defenses
*its type of mobility
*its sex

3. Based on these choices, the students will decide what adaptations are necessary for their reptile, and write them down before proceeding further.

4. In conjunction with each drawing or sculpture, each students should write a short report which includes the name of the reptile, its food sources, habitat, and lifestyle. Students should also include their lists of adaptations, and advantages provided by the adaptations.

5. Optional 1 day field trip: Go to Miller Springs

Questions:
1. If iguanas didn't have tails, what would be some other ways they could balance themselves in trees and protect themselves and territory?

2. How could an iguana's habitat protect him/her?

3. What are some purposes of a reptile's colors and skin patterns?

4. What other types of reptiles might live in the same habitat as an iguana? (This could be a research question)

5. What is herpetology the study of? (reptiles and amphibians)

6. Are reptiles herbivores, carnivores, or omnivore?

Evaluation:
Students should be able to name two reptile adaptations for eating, habitat, and defense.

Expanding the activity:
1. Make mobiles of the completed reptiles.
2. Look for possible food webs/relationship between real reptiles and amphibians.
3. Prepare a slide show on a Claris Work application.
4. Extend the adaptations to other animals and have the students bring in pictures of various animals and their adaptations, and make a bulletin board out of them.

Resources:
Iguanas... as a Hobby by: Shelly K. Ferrel
The Green Iguana Manual by: Philippe di Vosjoli
Eyewitness Books: Jungle by: Theresa Greenaway
Nature's Green Umbrella, Tropical Rain Forest by: Gail Gibbons
Moody Gardens, Web Site:
http://www.moodygardens.com

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