Ecosystems Alive! - Discovery Theater · Global warming threatens the tundra. If the tundra starts to melt, many of the plants and animals that live there won’t be able to survive

ECOSYSTEMS ALIVE! | 1

Discovery Theater ● P.O. Box 23293, Washington, DC ● www.discoverytheater.org Like our Facebook Page ● Follow us on Twitter: Smithsonian Kids ● Follow us on Instagram: SmithsonianAssociates

Ecosystems Alive!

Recommended for Ages 6 to 11

Grades K-6

A Reproducible Learning Guide for Educators

This guide is designed to help educators prepare for, enjoy, and discuss Ecosystems Alive! It contains background, discussion questions and activities.

Programs Are Made Possible, In Part, By Generous Gifts From: The Nora Roberts Foundation Siewchin Yong Sommer

http://www.discoverytheater.org/



ABOUT THE SHOW AND PRESENTER

Reptiles Alive LLC, a science education organization, is the realized dream of herpetologist Caroline Seitz. Caroline has loved reptiles, especially snakes,

from the time she was 3 years old. In 1998, she launched “The Reptile Lady" when she left her zoo position to focus full time on creating an educational live animal show organization. Two years later, Caroline

was so successful that she brought in help and the name was officially changed to Reptiles Alive, LLC. Since then, Reptiles Alive has been

featured on television, radio, and newspapers. In addition to teaching classes and presenting live reptile shows each year, they

also assist animal control agencies and police departments with reptile rescues.

During this special ecosystem-themed program you will discover the nine different biomes of the world. You will meet beautiful live animals from many of the biomes and how they have adapted to

their unique habitats. Learn why healthy ecosystems are so important to all life, and how our everyday actions affect animals and plants all around the world.

For more information, please visit: www.reptilesalive.com

WHAT IS A “BIOME”?

A biome is a large area with distinctive plants

and animals, and is named for the plants that

are found there. Inside the biome, animals and

plants live in communities, which have many

different kinds of living things. This can range

from tiny one-celled organisms to giant trees

and animals, like elephants! Here on earth, we have nine unique biomes

with their own plants and animals. Tiny

changes in geography, weather, and chemistry

can have an effect on everything in the biome.

That means like every other living and non-

living thing, it is our job to take care of the environment we live in!


http://www.reptilesalive.com/



THE NINE BIOMES OF THE WORLD

1. DECIDUOUS FOREST

Most of the eastern coast of the United States is part of the biome known as deciduous forest. Deciduous plants are plants that have leaves that change color and fall off.

This is “Rachel”, Reptiles Alive’s Eastern Ratsnake you might have met today! She is from the deciduous forest. Cutting down trees for wood or to clear space, poaching plants and animals, erosion, pollution, and the introduction of new and exotic species are all threats to her home.

2. WETLANDS

Over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is water, which means it is crucial for life on Earth. Wetlands are transition zones between try land and bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and bays.

You could find “Boom Boom”, Reptiles Alive’s American Bullfrog living in the wetlands! His home is threatened by pollution. Household chemicals, fertilizers, and garbage get washed into storm drains when it rains. You can help stop pollution by picking up trash when you see it, even if it isn’t yours.

3. GRASSLANDS

Grasslands are found on the interior of continents. In a grassland, fire and drought stops trees from growing. Grasses, flowers, and herbs can grow in grasslands because they grow from the root, and are safe underground from being burned or cut.

This is “Carl Spackler”, Reptiles Alive’s Pacific Gopher Snake, who calls the grasslands home! Farming and ranching are dangerous to his home. The crops planted by farmers take the water from the native grasses and plants, and the ranching animals like cows eat more of the grass than the native animals.




4. TAIGA

The Taiga is primarily found just south of the Arctic Circle in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. However, Taiga biomes can also

be found in the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Andes, Himalayas, and other high mountains. Trees here are evergreen, they do not

change color in the fall.

Mountain goats, snow leopards, songbirds, grizzly bears, and wolves all live in the taiga. Cutting down trees is a major

threat to the taiga. Without the forest, animals lose their homes and food sources. You can help save the taiga by

recycling wood products, like pencils and paper

5. TUNDRA

At the tops of the highest mountains in the world and above the Arctic Circle is the tundra. Tree roots cannot grow in the frozen ground, so only short plants like lichen, bearberry, and caribou moss can grow in the tundra.

In the Tundra, you might find caribou, rabbits, snowy owls, or even polar bears! Global warming threatens the tundra. If the tundra starts to melt, many of the plants and animals that live there won’t be able to survive anymore. Help stop global warming by remembering to turn off the lights when everyone leaves a room.

6. DESERT

The desert has very hot days, cold nights, and little rain. The Sahara, Thar, Kalahari, and Great Australian deserts are all

deserts where the average year round temperature is around 65 degrees F.

“Mali”, Reptiles Alive’s Uromastyx, is native to the desert! People and animals like Mali living in the desert need your help

to conserve water so they will have enough to drink, take showers, and water their crops. You can conserve water by

taking shorter showers and turning the faucet off while you’re brushing your teeth.




7. CHAPARRAL

The chaparral gets a bit more rain than the desert, but is still a very dry climate. The land is covered in sandy soil, dry plants, and rocks. Many of the animals that live in the chaparral are nocturnal, which helps them survive the heat.

Jackrabbits, goats, foxes, and pumas all live in the chaparral. Humans are the main threat to the chaparral. They hurt the land by hunting the animals that live there, cutting down the trees, and taking the water to faraway places.

8. SAVANNA

The savanna is grassland, and can be found between deserts and tropical forests. There are only two seasons in the savanna-wet and dry! The Serengeti Plains in Africa are a savanna, and there are also savannas in South America, India, Australia, and Asia.

Reptiles Alive’s “Hannah Savannah”, the Savannah Monitor Lizard, calls the savanna home! Grazing and farming is hurtful to her environment. When farmers let their animals eat all the grass in a savanna, it becomes a desert!

9. TROPICAL FOREST

There are more species of plants and animals in the tropical forest than in other any biome in the world! Tropical forests are located near the equator, where it is very hot and humid.

“Little Jerry Garcia”, Reptiles Alive’s Green Iguana, is native to the tropical forest! Humans have cut down or burned large amounts of the rainforest to farm and ranch. Once a forest is destroyed, it can almost never return.

You can find more information about biomes on the Reptiles Alive website.




TRY IT AT HOME!

How do animals like whales, seals, or polar bears survive in the freezing cold tundra biome? These warm-blooded mammals have adapted to their environment. These animals have an additional layer of blubber or fat that they store in their bodies. This layer of fat or blubber is good at staying warm, so the polar bears and whales don’t get too cold! This means that the animal’s bodies are insulated. Humans don’t have this extra layer to keep them warm during the cold. You keep your body insulated in the winter by wearing warm coats, boots, hats, scarves, and gloves!

You can feel the effects of this blubber on your own skin at home by trying a little experiment:

MATERIALS:

• Two bowls • Cold water • Ice cubes • Shortening (such as Crisco)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Put 6 ice cubes in each bowl.

2. Add 3 cups of cold water to each bowl (you can put in less water if your bowls are smaller, but make sure

each bowl has the same amount of water).

3. Cover your pointer finger on one hand with a thick layer of shortening, covering the entire area that will be

in the water. Keep the pointer finger on the other hand clean and bare.

4. Put the pointer finger of each hand into one of the bowls of ice water.

5. As soon as each finger feels too cold to keep in the water, take it out.

Which finger felt colder? The finger without the layer of shortening should feel colder in the water. That’s because shortening is very similar to the fat on a polar bear or whale. So when it was on your finger, your finger was insulated against the cold of the ice water.

For more information and activities, please visit http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-animals-stay-warm-with-blubber/


http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-animals-stay-warm-with-blubber/

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-animals-stay-warm-with-blubber/



HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Celebrated every year on April 22nd, Earth Day is a time to learn about our planet and to think about ways that each of us can take action to protect the environment. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to raise awareness about air and water pollution. Today, people around the world celebrate Earth Day in big ways (festivals and rallies) and small ways (planting a tree) – there are many ways to be nice to planet Earth! Best of all, you don’t have to wait for Earth Day to do your part for our planet: Earth Day is Every Day!

For more information please visit: http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement

SMITHSONIAN CONNECTION

Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of

Washington, D.C. You can visit the Zoo 364 days a year to see 2,000 individual animals of 400 different species. Check out the Reptile

Discovery Center to see some of the animals talked about today! Be on the lookout for some of the different ecosystems mentioned

during the show-what kind of biome do the tigers live in? How about the elephants in the Elephant Outpost?

For more information please visit: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm




The mission of the Smithsonian Institution is “The increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

Smithsonian Associates advances the Institution’s mission to “increase and diffuse knowledge” through life-enriching educational and cultural experiences inspired by the Smithsonian’s research and collections for DC-region students, families, and adults, and for learning communities nationwide. Discovery Theater has been presenting DC-area children with live educational performances for more than 30 years. With programs that enrich the Smithsonian experience for nearly 50,000 children annually, Discovery Theater is a gateway to the exhibits, collections, and themes contained in the museums and galleries on the National Mall and beyond. We explore American history and cultures, folk tales from around the world, and exciting, accessible science and math programs in the company of puppeteers, storytellers, dancers, actors, and musicians. Discovery Theater performances unite ideologies, enact themes that reflect the diversity of its audiences, open avenues of self-reflection, and offer an enjoyable means for parents and teachers to demonstrate life’s lessons. There’s so much to do and explore at the Smithsonian—and Discovery Theater is the ideal place to begin! For more information, please visit our website www.discoverytheater.org.

Our Location The S. Dillon Ripley Center 3rd Sublevel 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW Washington, DC 20024

Mailing Address Discovery Theater P.O. Box 23293 Washington, DC 20026 Email: [email protected] Phone: (202) 633-8700 Fax: (202) 633-1322 Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 4:30pm



Documents

Ecosystems Alive! - Discovery Theater · Global warming threatens the tundra. If the tundra starts to melt, many of the plants and animals that live there won’t be able to survive