Behaving Like Animals Carolina Biological # Part of the Physiology strand of the Inquiries in Science program $ (online catalog price)

This lab is an open- ended, inquiry-based investigation using Anoles (Anolis carolinensus) These lizards are sometimes known as American chameleons due to their color changing ability

Materials Included: 6 male anoles & 12 female anoles (extras were included in case there was death during shipment) 6 tropical plants (varied) 6 Medium Clear-View plastic terraria 6 LCD thermometers Potting mix Mealworms (~ 300) Teacher’s Manual and Student Guide (The live materials are shipped separately when order form is used) A replacement kit (RN ) is available for live materials and potting mix. ($89.95) Not included, but needed: Incandescent light source for each habitat Branches/twigs Rocks Spray Bottles Water Feeding Dish

Preparation - Habitat design Divide into 6 groups of up to five Obtain a terrarium and lid for your group Discuss among your group and decide the layout of your terrarium. Set up your terrarium Moisten the potting mix and water the plant. Don’t over water. There should be no visible pooling of water. Add about 15 mealworms to the food dish. Be sure to attach an LCD thermometer to the side of your terrarium.

Preparation - Habitat design Obtain one male and 2 female anoles. Be careful not to catch the anoles between the lid and terrarium when closing the lid. When handling the anoles, be gentle. If you grab them by the tail, it may break off. If this happens, do not worry. This is a defense mechanism and the tail will regenerate. Place the terrarium under a lamp so that the anoles will have light and warmth. Mist the terrarium with the spray bottle. You will need to mist the terrarium and add mealworms every day, as needed.

Explore Activity 1– Observing Behavior Spend about 20 minutes watching the anoles. Record what they do in your lab notebook. Do not tap the terrarium or shake/move it. You want to observe their natural behaviors.

Behaviors to look for: Eating Breathing Resting Seeking Shelter Mating Reactions to light, temperature, food, each other, you Territorial defense

Explore Activity 2 – Classifying Behaviors Observe your anoles for about 5-10 minutes a day for at least a week. Make an Animal Behavior Chart in your notebook and record your observations in the chart Type of Behavior Descrip- tion How often Innate or learned Aggressive behavior Circadian Rhythm Communication Conditioning Courtship Dominance Fight-or-flight Reflex Territoriality Trial-and-error Sample Chart

Explain Activity – What do you know? During the course of your observations, answer the questions provided in the Student Guide Also complete the concept map activity in the Student Guide

Extend Activity – Design your own investigation With your group, design your own experiment by altering conditions for your anoles. This investigation will go for several weeks –perhaps the entire year. Make sure your experiment causes no harm to the anoles. The experiment should be repeatable. You can use the Experimental Design Template to help. Make sure to get your protocol approved by your teacher before you begin. Be sure to record your observations carefully in your lab notebook. Your final report should include graphs, charts, observations and illustrations that show your data analysis.

Recommendations and Modifications Get plants that are all the same for the terraria. The tropical plants are all different and come at the same time as the anoles. This way the students can set up the terraria before the anoles arrive. Find small jar lids for food dishes. None are provided. Be very careful when opening the anole container. Make sure you have student helpers that can help catch the anoles. You will most likely need to purchase additional food insects. Don’t order the live materials to arrive on a Friday. Each terrarium should actually have 2 thermometers (one for the warmest point and one for the coolest). Only one is provided. Reserve and prepare a spot with lamps where the terraria can be kept before they are set up.

References +science+biology+series/inquiries+in+science- +behaving+like+animals+kit.do interested-keeping-pet- start/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=