Prairie Scales and Prairie Smoothies

Adapted from "Prairie Amphibians and Reptiles" by the Illinois Natural Heritage Survey

Lesson Introduction

Amphibians and reptiles are part of the diverse species the prairie supports. Reptiles, like snakes and lizards usually have scaly skin and are cold blooded. Amphibians, such as frogs, usually spend some or all of their lives in the water, are smooth skinned and metamorphose. Amphibians and reptiles help control the insect and rodent population by eating them. They serve as prey for birds and mammals as well as other amphibians and reptiles. Frogs are well known for their musical vocalizations, but the bullsnake can hiss loudly too. In this lesson students will gain a greater understanding of the prairie's amphibians and reptiles using research skills and inferences.

Illinois State Goal	Standard	Learning Benchmarks
12	A	2a. Describe simple life cycles of plants and animals and the similarities and differences in their offspring.
12	B	2a. Describe relationships among various organisms in their environments.

Lesson Objectives

The students will:

• identify differences between amphibians and reptiles
• identify prairie animal adaptations
• use inferences and research to gain information about amphibians and reptiles
• identify life cycles in reptiles and amphibians
• identify predator/prey relationships within the lives of amphibians and reptiles

Time Allotment

45-60 minute session

Materials

Pictures or photographs of prairie amphibians and reptiles such as American toads, gopher frogs, small mouthed salamanders, bullsnakes, six- lined racerunners, ornate box turtles, blue racers, and western fox snakes. Contact the Illinois Department of Conservation education department at (217) 524-4126 for free posters and materials.

PROCEDURE

Tap Prior Knowledge

1. Show students photographs of prairie amphibians and reptiles. Make two lists on the board title one 'Amphibians' and one 'Reptiles'. Ask the students to identify where each animal's picture belongs on the list. Accept all answers.

Share with Neighbor

2. Have the students work in pairs to come up with a definition for the word Amphibians and Reptiles. Remind them to look at the pictures to use physical descriptions if they are having a hard time coming up with definitions.

Hands-on Activity

3. Read the students the following descriptions. When you are finished reading each description have the students guess if you are describing and amphibian or a reptile. Have them include an idea of where in the prairie you might find this animal. Reminder: do not tell the students the name of the animal unless it appears in the text. You may wish to adapt this text and have the students read it themselves or to one another.

a. Blue Racer: This slender blue animal has a white chin and throat and is from 36-60" long. This animal usually hangs out under a rock but will climb a shrub or take to the water if it is being chased or looking for food. The Blue Racer preys upon insects, reptiles, amphibians and small birds and mammals. In June and July, the racer lays its 19 to 25 white eggs under a rock. (reptile)

b. Ornate Box Turtle: This dark brown, 4-5" animal is decorated with golden lines coming outward from the middle of its shell. This animal carries its shelter with it. By June and July the female buries her clutch of eggs in the soil. This animal searches the prairie floor eating fungi, fruits, seeds and tiny animals. When it gets very hot, the animal burrows into the soil to remain cool. In the winter this animal hibernates deep enough within the soil that it avoids freezing. (reptile)

c. American toad: During the day, this 2-3.5" brown to olive colored animal hides in thick clumps of grass stems. At dusk, it ventures out to feed on insects and worms. The female lays several thousand eggs in long strings in the bottom of a prairie pond. In only a week's time, small black babies hatch. These babies have gills and swim, eating tiny aquatic plants and animals for food. (amphibian)

d. Western Fox Snake: This yellow-gray animal is marked by red-brown spots. In search of small mammals and birds, the animal makes its way about the prairie floor without legs. Occasionally the animal rests hidden in a clump of grasses. Other time it will climb a dead standing tree or stump at the edge of the prairie and find shelter underneath the loose bark. The female lays her eggs in the soil beneath a rock. Its babies look like miniature versions of their parents. (reptile)

e. Small-mouthed Salamander: This animal gets no bigger than 7 inches long. Its skin is dark brown or black and marked by grayish-yellow patches. the adult finds shelter in the soil beneath rocks. At night it travels the prairie floor in search of earthworms, slugs and insects, sticking close always to the protective cover of the vegetation. During the spring the female finds a prairie pond or ditch and deposits a sticky mass containing 6 to 30 eggs onto the stem of an aquatic plant. The eggs hatch in a few days and the larvae stay in the water often seeking shelter beneath rocks, until they have transformed into adults, usually by July. (amphibian)

f. Bull snake: This animal is powerful but small. It travels about the prairie in search of small birds and mammals. It ambushes its prey from a hiding places like clumps of grasses or mammal burrows. This animal squeezes its prey to death. The animal is beneficial to the prairie habitat in that it helps control the rodent population by eating them. Eggs of this animal are often laid under a rock. (reptile)

g. Gopher frog: The spring mating season is the only time this animal ventures above ground. In the winter the animal hibernates in the soil beneath a pond. During summer and fall it lives by day inside a crayfish and aquatic insects. The female lays 5,000 eggs in shallow water and occasionally attaches the egg mass tot he stems of plants. The larvae swim in the water finding refuge from time to time under decaying vegetation's until they have transformed into frogs by July. (amphibian)

h. Six-lined Racerunner: This olive-gray to brown animal has six lightly colored stripes running from its head to the base of its tail. It is a sun lover and is often seen during the day basking on a rock. On cool days, the animal seeks shelter beneath a rock. It is a quick predator and has no problem snagging spiders. Its eggs are sheltered in the soil until they hatch in June. (reptile)

Introduce Scientific Principle/Environmental Issue

4. Ask if students can find similarities in the animals they guessed were reptiles and those they guessed were amphibians. Amphibians were often found in the water. Their babies were eggs that hatched in water, became larvae and then developed into the adult form. Reptile eggs were buried in soil and the young that emerge are smaller versions of the adults. Many of the reptiles slither or roam along the prairie floor finding refuge in holes or under rocks. Amphibians prefer cooler, moister areas.

Relate Activity and Concept

5. Have students look at their original lists. Have them change incorrect answers. Have them revise their definitions to include more details. Share the definitions with the class to make sure they include life cycle, physical descriptions and examples of the animals as well.