Community Crepuscular Define population Crypsis Natural History Ecosystem. each other and their Fecundity Fledgling Diet, habitat,

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Madison Harrell
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1 Objectives After completing this lesson: Define population, natural history, adaptation, and imprinting. Compare and contrast precocial versus altricial species. List signs that an animal is orphaned. List common myths regarding wildlife infants. Describe the steps to take if a baby wild animal is found. TEACHER S GUIDE LESSON 2 Wildlife Babies, Adaptations, and Populations Syllabus VOCABULARY Wildlife population health, wildlife Adaptation babies, and orphaned wildlife Altricial Offspring o Wildlife Populations and Camouflage communities Community Crepuscular Define population Crypsis Natural History Ecosystem how plants and Endangered animals react to Extinct each other and their Fecundity environment Fledgling Diet, habitat, Food Web Generalist Species movement, Imprinting territory, Interspecific Competition interactions, Intraspecific Competition reproductive strategies, behavior Adaptations and Resource availability Fecundity Predator vs prey Camouflage Range and territories Specialists vs generalists Memesis Migration Morphs Natural History Natural Resource Niche Orphaned Wildlife Population Precocial Offspring Predator Prey Range Specialist Species Territory Threatened Top Predator

2 Competition o Threatened, endangered, extirpation, extinct Migration, immigration, emigration Wildlife as part of ecosystem Ecosystem health is dependent on health of each component Food web Balance = Healthy, out of balance = disease, population decline o Wildlife Babies Precocial vs altricial young Name the offspring activity Parenting strategies Abandon Avoid o Hiding in the open understand natural behaviors of wild babies and mothers Intensive Other (ie. marsupial) Reproductive strategy as related natural history o Orphans What happens when wild babies are raised by humans: Know the challenges behind raising wildlife Imprinting Increased morbidity/mortality Specialized care Wildlife laws How to tell an animal is truly orphaned What to do if a baby animal is found What to do for a song bird What to do for a raptor What to do for a rabbit What to do for a deer What to do for a squirrel Know the truth behind common myths What can you do to help?

3 Evaluation Wildlife Encounters provides a set of 8-10 assessment questions for each Lesson, written for three grade levels, to help students gauge their understanding of the lesson topics. When the assessment questions are used as a pre- and post-lesson tool, educators will be able to measure the degree of student understanding and effectiveness of material presentation. Students will appreciate their growth in understanding and accomplishment. Projects and Activities Wildlife Encounters Lesson 2: Wildlife Babies, Adaptations and Populations guides students as they explore strategies used by wildlife to rear young, survive, and maintain species populations. Students are introduced to the concepts of fecundity, reproductive strategies, camouflage and adaptations, and migration. An extension of these topics is natural history. Several resources are available to explore these topics online and linked through Wildlife Encounters. Venn Diagram of Species Natural History: A template for students to diagram similarities and difference between species natural histories is available in the Teacher Resources folder. Students should be directed to research the natural history information for two species that share the same habitat. The Venn Diagram can be used to compare and contrast these traits and will help students better understand competition and habitat/resource use by species. Bird of Prey Lesson/Worksheets and Owl Pellet Dissection: The Teacher s Resources folder in Lesson 2 contains materials to be used by educators to discuss adaptations in anatomy and physiology of birds of prey that are used to classify these birds as raptors. Materials include a Teacher s Guide, Information sheets, and worksheets. The Wildlife Medical Clinic offers owl pellet kits for sale through Wildlife Encounters. Each kit includes sterilized owl pellets (variable 1 large or several small), 1 dissection stick, and 1 magnifying glass. An owl pellet dissection worksheet is available in the Teacher Resources folder to be duplicated as needed for student use with the kits. Contact wildlifeencounters@vetmed.illinois.edu to order your classroom kits. Cost is $1.50 per kit (plus standard shipping). Kits are subject to availability.

4 Illinois Habitats Are Home Informational Poster: From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Schedule a Visit to your classroom from the Wildlife Medical Clinic Birds of Prey: Available for the Champaign-Urbana, IL and surrounding community, the Wildlife Medical Clinic offers educators the opportunity to have the Wildlife Medical Clinic bring its resident birds of prey to the classroom. Our veterinary students will introduce your students to our birds and will discuss topics ranging from natural history, species adaptations, and ecosystem interactions to veterinary medicine and conservation. Classroom visits will be based on availability and will be free of charge when associated with class participation in Wildlife Encounters. Visit pr_visits.html to schedule your visit. Classes are encouraged to explore the ways to support the work of the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic found in the Teacher s Resources section. Educational Loan Kits: Educational loan kits developed by the Urbana Park District, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Wildlife Encounters are available for classroom use in the Champaign area and surrounding communities. Kits may be reserved in advanced and borrowed for two weeks for a minimal charge. Each kit contains a comprehensive, standards-based activity guide and accompanying materials. Visit the Urbana Park District Anita Purves Nature Center website at to find out more about the Educational Loan Kits. For educators not in the Champaign-Urbana, IL area, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Educational Trunks are available throughout the state of Illinois. Visit to find a resource center near you as well as other educational resources.

5 EDUCATIONAL LOAN KITS University of IL Wildlife Medical Clinic Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Natural History & Interactions Anita Purves Nature Center Animal Puppets (K-3 rd ) Birds 1 (K-2 nd ) Birds 2 (3 rd -5 th ) Bird Nests (K-8 th ) Colors and Camouflage (K-8 th ) Endangered Species (K-8 th ) Feathers (K-8 th ) Habitats (K-5 th ) Insects (K-6 th ) Plants & Seeds (K-5 th ) Ponds and Wetlands (1 st -8 th ) Prairie Discovery (3 rd -5 th ) Prairie as a Habitat (6 th -8 th ) Rainforest (2 nd -6 th ) Reptiles and Amphibians (K-5 th ) Rocks and Minerals (K-5 th ) Squirmy Science (K-5 th ) Tracks (1 st -5 th ) Trees and Forests (K-6 th ) Wildflowers (1 st -8 th ) Woodlands (6 th -10 th ) Illinois Department of Natural Resources Field Trip Pack (K-3 rd ) Illinois Aquatic Trunk (5 th -9 th ) Illinois Bird Trunk (K-8 th ) Illinois Tree Trunk (K-10 th ) Illinois Wild Mammals (K-8 th ) Illinois Fossils (7-10 th ) Illinois Prairies (K-8 th ) People & Animals of Illinois Past (K-6 th ) Illinois Symbols Illinois Wetlands Illinois Insects and Spiders (K-6 th ) Illinois Invasive Species (7-12 th ) Help us meet your future needs and improve Wildlife Encounters: Visit the Wildlife Encounters Assessment Survey for Educators in the Teacher s Resources section and complete a short questionnaire regarding your experience using Wildlife Encounters. Educators that complete the survey will receive a full color poster for their classroom featuring the Wildlife Medical Clinic birds of prey. Thank you for your support of the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic.

Outdoor Environmental Education Programs at the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary Connecting with Nature: Making a Difference for Conservation

Outdoor Environmental Education Programs at the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary Connecting with Nature: Making a Difference for Conservation Welcome to the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary