ANIMAL CRACKERS Simple Animal Shapes by Mary Erickson, Ph.D.

The shapes of some animals are quite simple, while others are more complex. Photographed at Sea Life Arizona Aquarium Photographed at the Wildlife Zee & Aquarium

If we look closely at animal shapes, we discover different varieties of the same general shape. How are the shells of these two turtles alike? How are they different? How are the shapes of their heads different? Photographed at the Phoenix Zoo

Look at these sharks’ bodies (not their fins and tails). How are their body shapes different? Photographs taken at Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

All three of these fish have similarly shapes. Pick one fish and describe it only by its shape and not its color, direction or pattern. Can your classmates guess which one you described? Photographs taken at Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

These starfish get their name from their shape. Photographed at Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

These complex animal shapes were made by combining simpler shapes.

See the birds on this metal grate? What simple shapes were used to make the birds?

What simple shapes can you find in this butterfly?

Can you see triangles and oval shapes in the butterfly?

What simple shapes can you find in this hen?

The hen’s body looks something like a circle. Her head and tail look more like triangles.

Cut paper to make the shapes you find in an animal. Then combine them to make the more complex shape of the animal.

Finally, glue the simple shapes in place on another piece of paper. You may want to add details with crayons or markers.

To make a complex animal from simple shapes: 1.You need a pencil, construction paper, scissors and glue. 2.Look for simple shapes in the animal. 3.Draw the shapes you find. 4.Choose colors of construction paper. 5.Draw the simple shapes of the animal on the paper. 6.Cut out the shapes and arrange them on another color of construction paper. 7.Glue the simple shapes in place to make your more complex animal shape.

You can make an animal mask by finding simple shapes in the face of an animal. Photographs taken at the Phoenix Zoo

Let’s see what simple shapes we can find in the face of this lion. Photographed at the Phoenix Zoo

This drawing simplifies into simple shapes the lion’s forehead, ears, mane, top of nose, upper lips and the tip of his nose.

Begin with some sort of simple mask. Trace the mask shape in the center of a piece of paper. This mask is made with a small paper plate with cut-out eye holes.

Draw the animal shapes over the tracing of the mask. Cut out each shape to make your pattern pieces.

Choose construction paper colors for your mask. Place your pattern pieces on the colored paper. Fit them closely together so you don’t waste paper.

Glue your pieces in place to complete your mask.

What simple shapes can you find in the face of this African antelope? Photographed at the Phoenix Zoo

The ears and horns are too long to fit on the paper. You can either start with a larger sheet of paper or you can attach more paper where you need it.

This antelope mask is made with foam sheets with adhesive backing instead of construction paper. Cut out pattern pieces. Place them on a piece of foam.

See how an extra piece of paper was used to make enough space to make a pattern for the antelope’s long ears? Arrange patterns to save on materials.

Press foam pieces in place on your paper plate to complete your mask.

To make an animal mask: 1.You need a mask, a piece of paper for a pattern, a pencil, scissors and either construction paper and glue or foam sheets with adhesive. 2.Look for simple shapes in the face of an animal. 3.Make a drawing of the face shapes. 4.Trace the mask shape on a piece of paper. 5.Draw shapes on paper and cut them out. 6.Trace you cut-out pattern pieces on construction paper or foam sheets. 7.Cut out face shapes. 8.Place and glue (or press) them in place to finish your mask.