Zoologist Debate

Zoologists study and classify animals. You have been given some mystery animal pictures that a zoologist had in her journal of trips she took around the world. These pictures may not show the entire animal, but sometimes on a field trip, a zoologist may only catch a quick look at an animal.

TASK: Using what you know about mammals…

A.  CLASSIFY the pictures into three sets. Those you think are probably mammals, those you think are probably not, and those you need more information about in order to determine for sure. Record the animal’s number in the correct spot in the chart below:

Probably Mammals / Probably NOT mammals / Need more information

B.  For each animal you think might be a mammal, explain what evidence makes you think so.

Animal Number / Evidence That it is a Mammal

C.  For each animal you think might NOT be a mammal, explain what evidence makes you think so.

Animal Number / Evidence That it is NOT a Mammal

D. What questions could you ask the zoologist to help you to decide if these animals are mammals (without just asking “Is it a Mammal”)?

Questions I’d like to ask about these animals to help determine if these are Mammals
1.
2.
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4.

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2.

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6.