Equipment and Room Requirements. Three large tables (or desks moved to create three stations) with adequate space for students to move around.

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1 FROM MICE TO MOOSE MAMMALS OF MAINE From Mice to Moose is an activity-based program where students participate in hands-on activities to develop an understanding of the mammals of Maine. Through the use of an extensive collection of mounted mammals, tanned skins, skulls, and a live, non-releasable big brown bat, we investigate speci c adaptations and identify important roles these animals play in the intricate food web. Equipment and Room Requirements Classroom or multi-purpose room space is ne. Three large tables (or desks moved to create three stations) with adequate space for students to move around. Presentations can be done at a single location, or in individual classrooms if 15 minutes is allowed between presentations. No other equipment is needed. Group size maximum Teachers must be present in the room during the program. It is helpful to have a rolling cart available to help move boxes into the building Please have the students wear the name tags provided in this packet. Note: Permits are required for most of the specimens (living and stuffed) that are used in Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs and students are reminded of the legal limitations of private collections. All of our living animals are non-releasable because of injuries or were captive raised before arriving at Chewonki. No animals have been harmed or taken specifically for use in Chewonki programs. Chewonki Wiscasset, Maine Traveling Natural History Programs (207)

2 Class Outline The Mice to Moose program is an investigative activity where students identify adaptations and discover facts about mammals and their relationship with the Maine environment. Each student is responsible for a mounted mammal and learns about the characteristics of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, winter survival strategies, habitats, food chains (webs), and many specific features of each animal. Teacher participation is encouraged, and there is the opportunity for aides or other adults to be involved as well. The specimens include native Maine mammals that have been stuffed by taxidermists and displayed in plexi-glass cases. In addition there are pelts, skulls, and feet of a variety of the mammals for student handling and comparison. A. Introduction: What is a mammal? What is an adaptation? What characteristics do mammals in Maine need in order to survive? B. Activity : (View mammal specimens) Introduce activity. Topics of discussion: Habitats Animal mobility Carnivore/ Herbivore/ Omnivore Winter survival Protection C. Wrap-up: Discussion, questions Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs

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4 PRESS RELEASE Date: Contact: Chewonki Presents Mammals of Maine When : Time : Where : Cost : Presenter : What: From Mice to Moose: Mammals of Maine This exciting and interactive program introduces the public to Chewonki s native warm-blooded vertebrates Maine mammals. Each participant will study a mounted animal and observe its characteristics, such as teeth, feet, and fur. We will use these observations as clues to understanding each mammal s adaptations, niche, and habitat. The instructor will show a collection of skulls, study skins, and other specimens, and guide students through a discussion of adaptations and the role each animal plays in the food web. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs

5 VOCABULARY Adaptation Antlers Camouflage Canine Teeth Carnassial jaw is closed. Carnivore Diurnal Fur Guard Hairs Herbivore Hibernation Incisors Nocturnal A behavior, physical feature, or other characteristic that helps an animal survive and make the most of its habitat. For example, ducks have webbed feet to help them swim. Bony growths from the head of male deer and moose used to establish dominance during the mating season (rut) which are shed annually, contrasted to horns, which are permanent non-bony growths of animals like sheep and cows. Protective coloring or behavior that helps an animal hide. The set of sharp pointed teeth between the incisors and carnassials used to grab and kill prey and for defense. The sharp cheek teeth of carnivores that cut like scissors when the Teeth An animal that eats only meat. Active during the day. A thick covering of hair on many mammal s bodies that protects and insulated them. The long coarse hairs that protect a mammal s under-fur and give its coat shape. An animal that eats only plant material. A state of deep winter sleep where the metabolism (body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate) drops to a level that barely sustains life. Bats, Woodchucks and Jumping Mice are the only Maine mammals that are true hibernators. This occurs in winter, enabling an animal to survive on stored fat reserves until spring. The sharp front teeth used mainly for cutting. Active at night. Omnivore An animal that eats a variety of foods that may contain plants, meat and often carrion. Predator Prey An animal that hunts others for food. An animal that is hunted by another for food. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs

6 Torpor Under-fur A state of reduced activity and metabolism that is not associated with similar a particular season. For example, during the summer a bat may go into torpor during a couple days of rain when insects are unavailable. The short, fluffy hair that lies next to a mammal s skin and helps keep it warm. Warm- Being able to maintain a constant body temperature independent Blooded of the outside temperature. Winter A strategy for surviving the winter by sleeping using fat reserves to maintain body temperature (bears, raccoons, etc.). Winter sleepers do wake occasionally to feed or walk around. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs

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13 Mix and Match Maine Mammals Instructions: Below are twenty- ve characteristics that describe various mammals. Write the name of a mammal of Maine in the blank that best matches the description, Example: 1: doesn t eat meat Snowshoe Hare Find a mammal that: 1. doesn t eat meat 2. lives in the trees 3. is endangered 4. eats many di erent foods 5. is a fast runner 6. does work for people 7. lives in social groups 8. only venomous mammals in Maine 9. is related to wolves 10. might eat your garden vegetables 11. has a pouch 12. has a special way of protecting itself 13. makes an unusual sound 14. uses its front legs to dig 15. is sometimes eaten by owls and other birds of prey 16. has been trapped for fur 17. is a predator 18. is an herbivore 19. lives underground 20. hibernates 21. grows antlers every spring 22. can hold their breath for a long time 23. uses a bad small to protect itself 24. is not a mammal 25. turns white in winter Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs

14 Bear Name Tags Photocopy this page and cut out the bear nametags for your participants to wear! Nametags worn during presentation help to excite students about mammals and make it easier for the presenters to involve the children by name. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs

15 Recommended Websites This list of recommended websites contains information pertaining to the program you have ordered. These websites are not associated with the Chewonki Foundation and we are not responsible for the content or advertising found therein. Apples4theTeacher.com: Notes: Five Minute word search featuring different types of mammals. Mammal Crafts for Kids: Notes: Offers a whole lot of mammal-themed crafts for younger students, pre-k to first or second grade. National Geographic: Notes: NGO site offers characteristics of mammals as well as quizzes, information and photographs of the world s mammals. Kidzone: Notes: This website has coloring activities about bat anatomy and life cycles as well as bat word scrambles, cross words and other games. Yahoo! Kids Mammals Page: Notes: Great resource for grade school students with information about mammal reproduction, behavior and characteristics. Also links to photos and brief information about dozens of mammal species. Suggested Readings Badgley. Catherine 2005 Pippa s First Summer Ann Arbor Media Group. Notes: An upper elementary reader describes the rst year of Pippa, a Big Brown Bat (native to Maine) as she learns to y, hunt and echolocate. A nice mix of science, fantasy and art. Godin, Alfred J Wild Mammals of New England The Johns Hopkins University Press Notes: Good reference for educators and older students with in-depth descriptions of the diets, behavior and threats facing nearly all of the land mammals and many marine mammals found in New England. Lamm, C. Drew 1994 Woodchuck at Blackberry Road Soundprints Notes: A wonderful science-based story for pre-k through third grade, this wonderfully illustrated book follows the ramblings of a mother woodchuck and her cubs. Includes a glossary of applicable plant and animal terms. Sill, Catherine 2000 About Mammals: A Guide for Children Peachtree Publishers Notes: An introduction for young children to the things that make mammals special. Lush watercolors and limited text, good for ages four to eight. Wilson, Don 1997 Bats In Question Smithsonian. Notes: This is a great resource for teachers and older students that answers dozens of questions about bats, their habits and biology. Question and answer format makes it easy to find pertinent information. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs