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Museum Educator-led Programs
Pre & Post Visit Resources
Reptile Diversity

Grades 6-8

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Program Description and Frameworks
Program Outline
Key Terms and Concepts
Classroom Activities
Print and Web Resources
Go to Reptiles: The Beautiful and the Deadly Gallery Page

Click here for printable version of all resources listed above

Students learn the characteristics scientists use to classify a reptile as a snake, lizard, alligator, crocodile, turtle, or tuatara. Examine fossil records to learn how reptiles evolved, who their ancestors were, how they have adapted to survive, and why biodiversity is important to ecology.

Location: Last Gallery of Reptiles: The Beautiful and the Deadly
Length: 1 hour
Grades: 6 - 8

Massachusetts Frameworks
Science and Technology/Engineering Strand 2: Life Science Standards

New York Standards
Math, Science and Technology
Standard 4 Science the Living Environment

Program Outline
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Introduction
Students are introduced to the term biodiversity and its importance. We will also discuss the characteristics that define reptiles, and the classification of reptiles within the animal kingdom.

Reptile Classification
Students will be introduced to the five different reptile types: turtles, snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and tuataras.

Live Animal Demonstration
Live animal demonstrations give students the opportunity to see reptiles up close and to interact with them. The demonstrations include at least one turtle, one snake, and one lizard. For each animal, we will cover the following topics:

• Characteristics
  As students make observations of each live animal, the group discussion will focus on specific adaptations for protection, feeding, senses, and reproduction.

  Evolution
  We will compare and contrast living species with their evolutionary precursors.

• Biodiversity and Environmental Factors
  Students compare and contrast reptile species with one another. We will also discuss the roles of the animals in their ecosystems, and the relationships between these reptiles and changing environmental conditions.

Activity
Students will match specific reptile species to environmental factors that are affecting their survival.

Conclusion
We will summarize what we've discussed in the program and speculate about the possible impact of decreasing reptile populations on ecosystems.

• Reptiles are classified into five groups: turtles, snakes, lizards, crocodilians (alligators and crocodiles), and tuataras.
• Tuataras may look a lot like lizards, but scientists place them in two separate groups because they have different skeletal structures, different body temperature ranges, and other differences.
• Reptiles are ectotherms; ectotherms use outside sources to maintain their body temperature, while endotherms maintain body temperature through internal means.Most reptiles are poikilothermic, meaning they have variable body temperatures, unlike most birds and mammals, which are homeothermic, meaning they have a constant body temperature.
• Most reptiles lay eggs that hatch externally; however there are some reptiles that develop eggs inside their bodies, where they hatch, and then the live young are born.There are three types of turtles: turtles, terrapins, and tortoises. Turtles usually have webbed feet and live in the water. Tortoises do not have webbed feet and live on land. Terrapins live in brackish water (a mix of salt and fresh water) and salt marshes.
• Reptiles have unique ways of protecting themselves; for example, some lizards can lose their tails, chameleons are well-camouflaged, and turtles have hard shells. Many reptiles are able to smell and taste with their tongues through a special organ located in the roofs of their mouths called a Jacobson's organ. Environmental factors and human actions, such as pollution and habitat destruction, affect the survival of many of the world's reptiles. Reptiles are an integral part of ecosystems throughout the world (except the Antarctic and Arctic).
• Some reptiles are able to camouflage themselves through changes in coloration controlled by cell pigments.

Key Terms Used During the Program
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• Adaptation
  a physical feature or behavior of an organism (a living thing) that has developed over time and helps the organism to survive in its environment.
• Biodiversity
  the amount of variety of life in a given area; this includes the genetic variety (the amount of genetic material in an area), species variety (the number of distinct species in a given area), and ecological variety (the number of distinct ecosystems in a given area).
• Ectothermic
  an animal that use outside sources such as shade or the sun to control its body temperature.
• Endothermic
  an animal that generates its own heat to maintain its body temperature.
• Evolution
  the theory that the biological diversity on earth today is the result of genetic modification during the process of reproduction and natural selection.
• Homoeothermic
  an animal whose body temperature remains constant, regardless of changes in atmospheric temperature.
• Jacobson's organ
  the organ found at the roof of the mouth in some animals, like snakes, that tastes and smells particles in the air and relays them to the brain.
• Mite
  a very small arachnid that is mainly parasitic to animals and plants (lives on and feeds on them); it is related to spiders and ticks.
• Natural Selection
  a theory describing the process through which organisms best-adapted to their environments tend to survive and reproduce more successfully than others.
• Oviparous
  birth A form of reproduction that involves laying eggs that hatch externally.
• Ovoviviparous birth
  A form of reproduction that involves developing eggs internally, which also hatch internally. After hatching, the live young are born.
• Poikilothermic
  an animal whose body temperature changes with the surrounding atmosphere.
• Prehensile tail
  a tail that can grasp, hold, or wrap around an object, such as a branch.
• Scutes
  the shedded pieces of a turtle's shell.

Turtle Tracking
Students can track the movement of a sea turtle by plotting data received from a tagged turtle. Click here for complete directions.

Reptile Adaptations
Students compare and contrast exotic and local turtle species in order to identify their unique adaptations, and then create an adventure story for their turtle. Click here for complete directions.

Egyptian Snake Game
Using this ancient Egyptian snake game board, students will enjoy playing a game based on snake facts and their own knowledge of reptiles. Click here for complete direction

Imagining Evolution
Review the concept of evolution with your students (definition included in the key terms section). Then ask students to imagine a drastic change in the earth's environment and to write a paragraph describing the new earth. Then ask students to exchange papers and describe the new form of humans that might develop in this new environment.

Use the Berkshire Athenaeum’s on-line catalogue to search for these print resources in Central/Western Massachusetts.Print Materials for Students

Greer, Allan. Reptiles. New York: Barnes and Noble. 2003. This book includes interesting facts about reptiles, drawings, photographs, and even a fold-out diorama.

Hammerslouch, Jane and Jeff Corwin. Snakes! Face to Face. New York: Scholastic, Inc. 2003. Follow television's Animal Planet adventurer Jeff Corwin as he encounters all kinds of snakes.

McCarthy, Colin, Karl Shone, and Jane Burton. Eyewitness: Reptiles. New York: DK Publishing. 2002. Vivid pictures and corresponding text help students learn about reptiles and how they compare to each other.

Parker, Steve, and Rod Ferring. See-through Reptiles. Philedelphia: Running Press Cook Publishers. 2004. The unique see-through pages of this book allow students to learn about reptiles in a completely unique and exciting way.

Spilsbury, Louise A., Richard Spilsbury. Classifying Reptiles. Chicago: Heinemann Library. 2003. This book helps students learn what makes a reptile a reptile. An excellent resource for older middle school students.

Stewart, Melissa. Reptiles (True Books Animals Series). New York: Scholastic Library Publishing. 2001. This book is a good introduction to the main groups of reptiles and is set up to be easily read and understood by students. The glossary of terms and chapter format make it an excellent book for middle school children.

Unwin, Mike. Life Cycle of Reptiles. Chicago: Heinemann Library. 2003. Covers everything from reptile eating habits to reproduction.

Print Materials For Educators

Burton , Dr. Maurice and Robert. Encyclopedia of Reptiles, Amphibians & Other Cold-Blooded Animals. Spain: BPC Publishing Ltd., 1984. Includes information about particular species as well as information about reptile and amphibian evolution.

King, F. Wayne. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, 1979. Includes information about anatomy, habitats, life cycles, movement, and defense to help the reader identify more than 160 of the most fascinating herpetological species from North America.

Tyning, Thomas F. Stokes Nature Guides: A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1990. An introduction to the similarities and differences between amphibians and reptiles. Includes information about local species such as physical characteristics, breeding, feeding, and other interesting facts.

Zug, George R., Laurie J. Vitt, Janalee P. Caldwell. Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles. 1993. San Diego: Academic Press, 2001. This book features information about evolution and morphology, reproduction, physiological ecology, behavior, population, and taxonomy.

Web Materials for Students

Audubon Nature Institute
Learn about some of the Zoo's incredible and rare reptiles: such as, the white alligator. You can also e-mail the zoo's keeper any questions you might have about reptiles.

Nature.ca
This is a fun site for children to look up specific reptiles. Clear and simple text and detailed illustrations help students learn about some interesting reptiles.

Philadelphia Zoo
This site provides general reptile information. Students can get a more in-depth view of the Zoo's featured reptiles, including general information, zoo keeper commentary, and conservation methods. This site also includes a kid's corner with activities and games.

San Diego Zoo
Learn about the many different reptiles at the San Diego Zoo. This site gives detailed information on their reptiles including fun facts and lots of pictures.  

Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Students can learn about the reptiles at the zoo, facts and pictures help these animals come alive. Students can also view live animals on the Zoo's web cam.

Web Materials for Educators

eNature.com
This site has many useful tools for studying the native wildlife in your area. Some features include lists of endangered species in each state, field guides with clear images and specific information about each species, and zip code guides that provide identifying images and information about the organisms that live in your neighborhood. Guides are available for reptiles and amphibians, as well as mammals, birds, plants, trees, butterflies, insects, sea shore life, fish, and more.

MassWildlife's State Reptiles and Amphibians List
A list of the reptiles and amphibians that live in Massachusetts including species that are endangered, threatened, and are considered special concerns. Also includes a large reptile bibliography.

National Geographic
A great website for educators to keep up-to-date on news stories, conservation, and information about animals from around the world. Also includes a U.S. Local Wildlife Guide, crittercam, and an area for related links.

National Wildlife Foundation
Site includes NWF resources and program plans, which include background knowledge for activities, and planning materials for integrating conservation lessons into science, math, language arts, and art classes. Also includes online activities and a store for educators.

Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Includes fact sheets and articles pertaining to individual species, conservation, and nutrition.

The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web
This siteincludes pictures of reptiles, specimens, skulls, sounds, classification, and information about the animals.

 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent Federal grant- making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities supports the Berkshire Museum.

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