Science Kits: Mammals
The Mammal Kit contains a pelt and skull collection of common mammals. Tracking activities help sharpen students’ senses outside, making them more aware of subtle signs that reveal the variety of animals that we live with.
Activities:
- What is a Mammal? (.pdf) – Grade 3-6. Discover the characteristics of a mammal
- Pelt Properties (.pdf) – Grade 3-8. Identify adaptations visible in pelts
- Whose Track is That? (.pdf) – Grade 4-8. Introduce methods needed to identify animal tracks
- Casting Tracks (.pdf) – Grade 1-8. Make your own permanent track replicas
- Touch Tracks (.pdf) – Grade 1-6. Become familiar with tracks of mammals in Oregon
- Guess that Skull (.pdf) – Grade 6-12. Introduce different mammal skulls and their varying teeth
- Ins and Outs (.pdf) – Grade 3-8. Compare and contrast characteristics of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.
- Neet Feet (.pdf) – Grade 3-12. Students will determine seasonal adaptations in the tracks of different mammals.
Educational Tools:
- 12 Mammal Pelts
- 11 Mammal Skulls
- Scat replicas
- Track molds and Plaster of Paris
Books and Videos:
- Pacific Coast Mammals
- Mammals (a golden guide)
- Mammals (Peterson first guide)
- Scats and Tracks of the Pacific Coast and British Columbia
- Mammals (National Audubon Society)
- America’s Neighborhood Bats
- Mammals of Washington and Oregon
- Jackson County Habitat Guide
- Skulls and Bones
- Native American Animal Stories
- Big Tracks, Little Tracks
- Marine Mammals
- Amazing Mammals
- Mammals- Eyewitness DVD