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

Grades 9-12

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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 discover the history of reptile adaptation and genetic variation-which characteristics have remained advantageous and which have disappeared. Learn how reptiles are classified and what ecological changes affect their survival.

Location: Last Gallery of Reptiles:The Beautiful and the Deadly
Length: 1 hour
Grade: 9 - 12

Massachusetts Frameworks
Science and Technology/Engineering Strand 5; Standards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.4, 6.5

New York Standards
Standard 4 Science the Living Environment

Introduction
We will introduce the concepts of evolution and natural selection, and the techniques used by scientists to study reptilian evolution.

Reptile Classification
Students will review the scientific classification of different types of reptiles and the unique characteristics that define reptiles.

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.

Conclusion
We will summarize what we've discussed in the program and answer any final questions.

• 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 temperature,s unlike most birds and mammals, which are homeothermic, meaning they have a constant body temperature. While some reptiles reproduce ovoviviparously, most are oviparous.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, like pollution and habitat destruction, affect the survival of many of the world's reptiles.Some reptiles carry on symbiotic relationships with other animals; examples include the crocodile and the plover bird, and marine iguanas and bacteria.
• Evidence for evolution can be found not only in fossils, but also in living organisms in the form of vestigial organs and "living fossil" animals that have remained unchanged for millions of years.

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.
• Amphibian
  an ectothermic, smooth-skinned animal with a backbone (a vertebrate), which usually hatches as an aquatic larva with gills and then transforms into an adult having lungs.
• Basking
  to lie in the sun for warmth, which also helps to remove mites and algae from the body.
• 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, regardless of changes in atmospheric temperature.
• Evolution
  the theory that the biological diversity on earth today is the result of genetic modification during the process of reproduction.
• Homoeothermic
  an animal whose body temperature remains constant.
• 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.
• Prehensile tail
  a tail that can grasp, hold, or wrap around an object, such as a branch.
• Poikilothermic
  an animal whose body temperature changes with changes in surrounding atmospheric temperature.
• Reptile
  an animal with a backbone (a vertebrate) that is ectothermic, has scales, breathes air using lungs; most lay eggs.
• Scutes
  the shedded pieces of a turtle's shell.

Bird Evolution
Scientists disagree about the evolutionary origin of birds. Many believe they evolved from dinosaurs, while others believe flying dinosaurs and birds are examples of co-evolution and that they evolved from separate groups of reptiles. Have your students choose a side and research facts to support their theory. Their research can culminate in either a paper or a class debate.

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 directions.

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 Conservation
General population numbers for herps (reptiles and amphibians) worldwide has declined significantly in recent years, and this trend worries many scientists who see it as an indication of things to come for other, larger species. Ask students to select a herp species native to your area that is endangered, threatened, or of special concern.

For Massachusetts, MassWildlife's web page www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhrare.htm is an excellent resource. Ask students to answer the following questions: What are the possible causes of this animal's endangered status? What would the effect be on the rest of this animal's ecosystem if it became extinct? What can be done to help strengthen this species' population? Focusing on local species and ecosystems will allow students to make more direct connections between themselves, their communities, and the natural world.

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

Allen, Missy and Mishel Peissel. Dangerous Reptilian Creatures. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1992. Presents some of the worlds most exotic and dangerous reptiles.

Dixon , Dougal, Barry Cox, R.J.G. Savage, and Brian Gardiner. The Macmillan Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. New York: Macmillan, 1998. This book features chapters on prehistoric fish, amphibians, reptiles, dinosaurs, birds, and mammals. It includes an overview of the evolution of each animal group, vivid artist renderings of many prehistoric species in each animal group, as well as information about each species. Also includes an introduction to the techniques used by paleontologists to study evolution.

Dow, Lesley. Alligators and Crocodiles. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1992. Discuses crocodilian habitat, anatomy, behavior, and the unique adaptations that have allowed them to survive for so long.

Greenberg, Daniel A. Lizards. New York. Benchmark Books, 2004. This book contrasts lizards from other reptiles, including dinosaurs. A section on environmental and human threats allows students to gain a better understanding of the reptile world.

Mattison, Christopher. Encyclopedia of Snakes. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1995. This chapter book covers all aspects of snake ecology, from snake history to reproduction. It also discusses the complex relationship between snake and humans.

Miller, Chuck. Tortoises. Austin, TX.: Raintree Publishers, 2002. A good introduction to tortoises which includes discussion of tortoises in general and specific information on some of the more popular tortoises.

Thomas, Peggy. Reptile Rescue. Brookefield, Conn.: Lerner Publishing Group, 2000. Introduces students to the necessity of reptile conservations and discusses the different techniques scientists employ to track and stabilize reptile populations.

Wexo, John Bonnet, J. Wexo and Walter Stuart. Prehistoric out of water. Indiana. The Creative Company, 1991. A informative and captivating look at the process that led plants and animals to first emerge from the sea onto land.

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 amphibian and reptile 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 beteen amphibians and reptiles. Includes information about local species such as 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

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.

History of Reptiles
Provides an excellent history of the evolution of reptiles from amphibians. This site includes information on extinct reptiles and those of today.

National Geographic
A great website for students 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.

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
This site gives good information about the animals in its zoo and provides information on conservation. It can also help students stay current through recent articles and publications.

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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