A Visit to the Zoo A Visit to the Zoo: Introduces students at any educational level to the zoo’s basic missions of preserving and protecting individual animals or species, and to educate and entertain human patrons. Provides enough flexibility to be useful regardless of the student’s geographical location and proximity to any zoo they might experience. A Visit to the Zoo offers a variety of perspectives from which to launch lessons. Leads are provided in the areas of planning, safety, biomes, ecosystems, animal species, exotic species, animal behavior, species adaptability, time of day, seasons of the year, the five senses, and human emotions. This presentation offers visual clues and teacher notes delineating major concept segments. You can customize this presentation for your student’s needs and attention spans.

What is a Zoo? A zoo is a park that cares for many animals that live on land. People enjoy zoos because we can learn about other parts of the world where different animals live in the wild. It’s fun to watch them play together. Sometimes they play with us.

What is a Zoo? At the zoo we discover what animals like to eat and drink, and when they like to sleep and play. Let’s go make friends with the animals at the zoo!

What is a Zoo? Many animals live at a zoo. They may have been hurt and can’t live without help from people. Some come from families that have always had people take care of them. A zoo is a safe place for these animals to live.

Biomes and Ecosystems A biome is a part of the earth that is mostly land, fresh water or salt water. Biomes - Types There are three major biomes: Land Fresh Water Salt Water The zoo is typically made up of terrestrial biome exhibits. Aquariums typically display fresh water and salt water biome exhibits. Because there are many species that depend on combinations of biomes you may find both land and water exhibits at the zoo.

Biomes and Ecosystems There are lots of things that live on the Earth. Some of them we can see because they are so big, and some are so small that we have to use microscopes to see them.

Biomes and Ecosystems When we study how plants, animals and microbes live together in their biome we are observing their ecosystem. You need a microscope to see which one? A plant, animal or microbe Ecosystems - Habitats There are a variety of environments that are combinations of land and water types. For instance, Florida, U.S.A., has brackish water environments. This is where fresh water mixes as it flows into salt water oceans or gulfs. There is a variety of plant, animal and microbial life that survives only in these brackish water environments. When we study living things as they relate to their environment we call the area an ecosystem or habitat.

Biomes and Ecosystems A zoo will have animals that live on land. Other animals live in fresh water or salt water. Zoos and aquariums have animals from different biomes. What kind of animals do you find in an aquarium? Which biome do you live in?

Biomes and Ecosystems Ecosystem Structure There are a few factors that influence the basic nature of an ecosystem. These are: temperature, moisture, amount of sunlight and the land or water elements that create the life sustaining environment. Animals found at a zoo typically can tolerate a wider spectrum of changes in temperature and humidity. They can also survive and thrive on food fed to them at the zoo that they wouldn’t find in their wild habitat. Zoos may have animals native to different continents. These animals do well because the climate where they come from is similar to where the species originates. Because we are visiting the zoo we will talk about the land biomes and the different types of places where animals live. Zoos teach us about an animal’s surroundings and how they survive in the wild.

Ecosystems & Habitats When we talk about animals living in the wild we call their home an ecosystem or habitat. Many animals living in a zoo will live in a habitat that looks like their wild home.

Ecosystems and Habitats You’ll find so many fascinating animal species at the zoo. Some will hatch from an egg, others will be born in the water and live on land most of the time. Some will sleep all day and be up all night, and others will have wings but not fly. Ecosystem & Earth’s Rotation Let’s review the basic components of Earth’s relationship with the Sun. DAY: The earth is a ball that rotates on an axis. To illustrate, stick a pencil through the center of a ball. Angle the pencil 23.5 degrees and twirl. It takes 24 hours for the Earth to rotate once, or 360 degrees. YEAR: The Equator is located at the widest part of the Earth. The Earth is always closest to the Sun at the Equator. The Earth travels around the Sun and it takes 365 days, or 1 year. SEASONS: Because of the Earth’s axis, the Earth’s Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive equal amounts of sunlight at equal angles over the course of the year. Because they are opposite each other, one will have shorter periods of daylight beginning with the Fall Equinox, while the other has longer periods of light beginning with the Spring Equinox. Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. They will also be opposite. The changes in temperature and moisture are more noticeable the further you are from the Equator. The land and water masses near the equator will experience slight changes in moisture and temperature due to the annual rotation of the Earth around the sun.

Ecosystems and Habitats A polar bear survives in the Arctic where it’s cold and wet. An alligator will live where it’s very hot and wet. Animals live in all kinds of climates but not all animals can live everywhere. A polar bear can survive where alligators live. Can an alligator survive in the wild Arctic? Ecosystems & Climate There are differences in climate attributable to a variety of factors including: precipitation, evaporation, elevation, mountains ranges, valleys, ocean currents, ocean temperatures, etc. Plant life is generally regarded as a significant indicator of a climate region. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system is the most often referenced by scientists. An updated world global map is available in this PDF document by M. C. Peel, B. L. Finlayson, and T. A. McMahon, Published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 11 October 2007. Visit: http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf Typical descriptions of climate may include references such as distance from the equator, temperature, humidity and rainfall, life-forms and growing seasons. Your main topic/focus will lead you to the appropriate climate terminology to use in your lessons and activities.

Ecosystems and Habitats As you can see, climates plays a big roll in how animals survive in the wild. The earth has many climate regions. Land animals depend upon how much warmth and light they get from the sun, and how much water stays on the ground or in the air.

Ecosystems and Habitats Mix land, temperature, water, plants, animals and microbes and you have an ecosystem. You’ll learn all about how these elements work together on your visit to the zoo.

Ecosystems and Habitats Your zoo may have animals that you see near your home. They may also have exotic animals that come from far away ecosystems. They come from the same climate so they’re comfortable in your zoo. All they need is a healthy diet from the people who work at the zoo. Animal Species Animal species can be generalized into 6 classifications and 2 body temperature regulating types. Each animal species and subspecies will have characteristics best left to specialized study. WARM BLOODED animals are mammals and birds. They keep a constant internal temperature. The internal temperature is maintained by converting most of its food to energy. Some food converted energy is applied to body mass functions such as growth and cell production. COLD BLOODED animals are amphibians, fish, reptiles and invertebrates. They do not have a method of regulating body temperature internally. Their body temperature will be similar to their surrounding (land, air, water) temperature. MAMMALS are warm blooded. They have skeletons, lungs, milk glands, fat glands. They have skin with hair producing follicles. Found in water and land biomes. BIRDS are warm blooded. They have skeletons, lungs, wings, beaks and skin with feathers. AMPHIBIANS are cold blooded. They have skeletons. The larvae (tadpoles or polliwogs) have external gills. Most species are born in water where they remain until they develop lungs. They usually live on land as adults. Their skin is water permeable which means both oxygen and water can pass through it. Found in water and land biomes. FISH are cold blooded. They have skeletons and gills. Their skin may be semi-permeable to water, and may have scales. Found in water biomes only. REPTILES are cold blooded. They have skeletons and lungs. Their skin may have scales or plates. Found in water and land biomes. INVERTEBRATES are cold blooded. They have no backbone or spinal column. Some have an external structural support known as an exoskeleton. This class makes up the majority of species on planet Earth. The life support and reproductive systems are seemingly endless. Found in water and land biomes.

Ecosystems and Habitats Some zoos have made special habitats just so you can enjoy seeing these animals. You may have to go into a building that has the temperature and lighting just right for an animal to be comfortable. Exotic Species Zoos will often care for exotic animal species. These animals can be maintained because the local climate is similar to their native climates, or the zoo has made an exhibit with climate adaptations. Generally, these animals can be fed local nutritional foods that are similar to their native diet. They will control the exotic species population using captive breading programs, separation of the sexes, or neuter/sterilize the animal.

Ecosystems and Habitats Let’s pretend that you live in Arizona, U.S.A. The climate is very hot and dry. Much of Arizona is desert. You will find many animals known as reptiles in the desert. A lizard is a reptile. It depends on the sun, air, sand and rocks to keep warm and active.

Ecosystems and Habitats A large mammal like a moose wouldn’t do well in the desert. It makes its own heat by eating a lot of food. It keeps cool by drinking a lot of water. Birds keep warm and cool by eating and drinking too.

Ecosystems and Habitats Smaller mammals like rabbits do better in the desert because they don’t need to drink as much as a moose. They can find shade easier than a huge animal.

Exotic Species Sometimes living microbes, plants and animals are brought into a wild ecosystem. There are many ways this can happen. For example, many plant seeds get stuck in fur or feathers. As the animal travels, the seeds fall off to grow in a different ecosystem.

Exotic Species Sometimes the climate changes in an ecosystem. It gets hotter or colder, or wetter or dryer. Plants and animals that are living there find it hard to survive with the new climate. Other plants and animals move there and take over the area. This is called invasion.

Exotic Species Exotic species will invade an ecosystem if conditions are right for it to be nourished, mature and reproduce. If there are no microbes or predators to eliminate the new species it will change the ecosystem so that the things that used to live there die or find a new home. Invasive Exotic Species Species are introduced into ecosystems where they survive and reproduce. They often upset the balance of nature and create tremendous change to that environment. Invasive species can belong to any Animal, Plant, Insect or Pathogen group. Government agencies often intervene when a species shows potential to cause harm to human health, the environment or economy. Species may also invade if there is a significant change to the environment due to earthquakes, water level changes, etc.

Animal Behavior Now that you understand how environment, species and food work together, let’s look at animal behavior. Animal Behavior Animal behavior can be looked at from the perspective of the: INDIVIDUAL and how it relates to its environment that includes: food, shelter, weather/seasonal affectations. INDIVIDUAL AND ITS POSITION within its species. Each species will have a method of ranking an animal in its society or environment. Common determinates are age, size, sex and temperament. INDIVIDUAL AND COMPETITOR outside its species. Other animals can interfere with the livelihood of another animal by hunting it, taking its food or shelter, etc. GROUP DYNAMICS can be found in herds or similar groups of animals. Seasons will play a large roll in how species work together. Mating rituals and food availability all play a part in how an animal interacts with others of its own kind. PREDATION determines many behaviors for both the hunter and the hunted. ADAPTATION is necessary for the survival of every species. Some obvious adaptations are color changes. For example: many birds will have brighter colors during breeding intervals, some will play dead when threatened, and others will change color to blend into the environment. INSTINCT might best be defined as the very basic behavioral nature of an animal or its species that helps it locate food, shelter, rest and opportunities to reproduce.

Animal Behavior It’s easy to observe animal behavior at the zoo. You’ll also learn how they behave in their natural habitats. There are many things that influence how animals acts for themselves or with each other.

Animal Behavior At the zoo you’ll find many examples of group behavior and individual behavior of animals. Sometimes animals will all do the same things together.

Animal Behavior Sometimes they will work together but each animal will have a different job. At other times, an animal will act on its own. Let’s use some words you’ll hear at the zoo to describe animal behavior.

Animal Behavior If a large group of four legged animals become afraid the HERD will move in the same direction. If a FLOCK of birds are migrating they will fly in formation.

Animal Behavior Each wolf in a PACK has a special job when hunting. A lion has its PRIDE. These are just a few group names. Ask people what words they use to describe animal groups and you’ll have more fun than a BARREL of monkeys!

Animal Behavior How do animals of the same species act with each other when they are relaxed or sleepy? What do they do when they are afraid? Do they play together? Are there any babies with their mother or father?

Animal Behavior How does an animal act when it feels threatened? Does it change color, play dead, run away or fight?

Animal Behavior How does the time of day affect an animal species? At what time do they rest? When are they active or hungry? Do you think animals can sense changes in the time of day? What clues do they get?

Animal Behavior How does the weather affect animals? When they sense bad weather coming how do they prepare?

Animal Behavior Do the seasons affect the behavior of the animals at your zoo? How would they act differently if they lived in their natural ecosystem when the seasons changed?

Copyright 2010 abcteach.com A Visit to the Zoo Images Courtesy of: NASA http://www.nasaimages.org/ Microsoft Clipart www.office.com Contributions from abcteach.com staff members, and others as identified. Copyright 2010 abcteach.com A Visit to the Zoo: Introduces students at any educational level to the zoo’s basic missions of preserving and protecting individual animals or species, and to educate and entertain human patrons. Provides enough flexibility to be useful regardless of the student’s geographical location and proximity to any zoo they might experience. A Visit to the Zoo offers a variety of perspectives from which to launch lessons. Leads are provided in the areas of planning, safety, biomes, ecosystems, animal species, exotic species, animal behavior, species adaptability, time of day, seasons of the year, the five senses, and human emotions. This presentation offers visual clues and teacher notes delineating major concept segments. You can customize this presentation for your student’s needs and attention spans.

A Visit to the Zoo A Visit to the Zoo: Introduces students at any educational level to the zoo’s basic missions of preserving and protecting individual animals or species, and to educate and entertain human patrons. Provides enough flexibility to be useful regardless of the student’s geographical location and proximity to any zoo they might experience. A Visit to the Zoo offers a variety of perspectives from which to launch lessons. Leads are provided in the areas of planning, safety, biomes, ecosystems, animal species, exotic species, animal behavior, species adaptability, time of day, seasons of the year, the five senses, and human emotions. This presentation offers visual clues and teacher notes delineating major concept segments. You can customize this presentation for your student’s needs and attention spans. Click on the image above to find complimentary paragraph and essay writing assignments. Have your students work as a class, in groups or individually to develop their thinking and writing skills.