Create a Creature: Final Project

Directions: Pick a biome and animal group out of the grab bag. You will invent a new creature that shares the defining characteristics of your animal group. You will invent at least 5 special adaptations that will enable your creature to survive in the biome you picked. When designing your creature, keep the ideas we have discussed in mind. The overall body plan of your creature must display synergy. Invented adaptations must be able to reasonably develop from the basic body plan of your animal group. You must be able to explain the basis for each adaptation in your adaptation charts. Remain aware of physical limits and be realistic in your design. After you answer all the questions below on a separate sheet of paper and fill out the Adaptation Chart, draw a picture of your creature.

NICHE

1. What is your biome?

2. Choose a range for your creature using the biome map. Where exactly can your creature be found? Is it endemic or widespread?

3. What particular habitat in this biome does your creature occupy?

4. Is your creature diurnal or nocturnal? What characteristics help it survive in the day or night?

5. What position in does your creature occupy in the food chain?

6. What does it eat (prey must be found in your biome)?

7. What eats it (predators must be found in your biome)?

8. Draw a food web diagram that contains your creature for your habitat.

EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY

Kingdom=______

Phylum=______

Class=______

Order=______

9. What characteristics do all animals in your Class have in common?

10. What characteristics can be used to describe animals in this Order?

11. Give at least 3 examples of animals in this Order.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

12. What main challenges (list at least 3) does the biome and habitat present to getting the 6 big basics?

13. How will the creature meet these challenges?

14. How will it get its food?

15. How will it avoid being killed?

16. What characteristics enable the creature to be endemic or widespread? Justify the range you have chosen by explaining how the adaptations of your creature relate to the size of its geographic range. Address each of the 4 factors (from homework assignment) that effect a creatures geographic range in your explanation.

17. How will it find a mate?

18. How will it ensure the survival of its young?