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Discovering Northern Elephant Seals

What Can We Expect On Our Field Trip to Observe Elephant Seals?

Students will prepare for upcoming field visit by constructing and reviewing personal field journal expectations. It is imperative that students become familiar with their field journals prior to their visit to insure a focused and satisfying experience.

Time required: 1 - hour

Location: classroom

Suggested group size: all

Subject(s): science, math, writing

Concept(s) covered: elephant seal indentification and behaviors

Written by: Christie Denzel Anastasia, National Park Service

Last updated: 12/05/00

Stucdent Outcomes
At the end of this activity, the students will be able to:

Utilize field journals while viewing elephant seals.

California Science Standard Links (grades 6 – 8)
This activity is linked to the California Science Standards in the following areas:

6th grade:: 5a - food webs
5e - the number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and abiotic factors, such as quantity of light and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition
7b - appropriate tools and technology to perform tests, collect/display data
7h - identify changes in natural phenomenon over time without manipulation the phenomenon (e.g., a tree limb, a grove of trees, a stream, a hill slope)
7th grade:: 7a - appropriate tolls and technology to perform tests, collect and display data
8th grade:: 9b - evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data

National Science Standard Links (grades 5 – 8)
This activity is linked to the National Science Standards in the following areas:

Content Standard A - Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data; understanding about scientific inquiry.

Content Standard G - Science as a human endeavor; nature of science: students formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation, experiments, and theoretical and mathematical models

Materials
To be photocopied from this guide:

Field Journal Sheets for each student and chaperone (196K PDF document)
(NOTE: there are four journal sheets that need to be copied twice for each journal: Field Census, Behavior Survey, Behavior Field Notes, and Habitat Survey. All other journal sheets only need to be copied once for each journal.)

Optional journal sheets (see on-site lesson "How Can I Capture My Experience in a Poem or a Drawing?")

Available for checkout at Bear Valley Visitor Center or use at Clem Miller:

Elephant Seal Kit

Vocabulary
carrying capacity, habitat, subadult, weaner

Procedures

Construct Field Journals
Have the students construct their field journals. See the attached sheet for Tips for Constructing Field Journals. Hand out photocopies of field journal sheets and have students assemble their field journals.

Journals should be in the following order:

Review Field Trip Logistic
Upon arrival at Point Reyes National Seashore one group will travel to Elephant Seal Overlook and the other to Historic Lifeboat Station. After a predetermined amount of time, the two groups will switch locations. The on-site lesson explains this in more detail.

Review Field Journals
Once journals are completed, review field activities by having students turn to appropriate pages in their journals as you review expectations and directions. Students should also record their names and school name at the top of each sheet.
- Things to Remember while on Elephant Seal Field Trip
  This sheet will be used as part of the next lesson Safety and Stewardship Challenge.
- Field Identification of Elephant Seals
  Review the different ages and sexes of elephant seals prior to field trip so students will be able to tell individuals apart. (Males have long noses and a dark round opening on their belly that looks like a "belly button." This is the penile opening.)
- Elephant Seal Overlook Observation Sheet
  Students will be standing at the Elephant Seal Overlook to complete this sheet along with Field Census, Behavior Survey, Behavior Field Notes, and Habitat Survey. Students will be marking the locations of elephant seals along the map and noting presence of alpha males or pups.
- Lifeboat Station Observation Sheet
  Students will be standing at the end of the pavement behind the Lifeboat Station to complete this sheet along with Field Census, Behavior Survey, Behavior Field Notes, and Habitat Survey. Students will be marking the locations of elephant seals along the map and noting presence of alpha males or pups.
- Field Census
  A field census will be completed at both locations: Elephant Seal Overlook and Lifeboat Station. Students should start with the first column differentiating "Over one year old", "Under one year old", and "Visitors". A check mark or number should be placed in the boxes to indicate number observed. Once students complete the first column, they may then differentiate the "Over one year old" into males and females in the second column. Each column gets more difficult to differentiate, as some students may then be able to break the males into alphas and subadults.
- Behavior Survey
  A behavior survey will be completed at both locations, Elephant Seal Overlook and Lifeboat Station. Students should observe elephant seals for a predetermined amount of time and place check marks in the appropriate column.
- Behavior Field Notes
  A behavior field notes sheet will be completed at both locations, Elephant Seal Overlook and Lifeboat Station. Students should observe elephant seals for a predetermined amount of time and describe three behaviors observed in narrative format.
- Habitat Survey
  A habitat survey will be completed at both locations, Elephant Seal Overlook and Lifeboat Station. Students should fill out information and answer questions to the best of their ability.
- Scar Card
  If students notice an individual elephant seal that stands out because of unusual markings, scars, shark bites, or other wounds, they should record their observations on this sheet. Instruct students to draw what they see in the right location on the seals' body.
- Tagging and Marking of Pinnipeds
  If students notice that some seals or sea lions have tags or other research devices on their body, instruct students to record their observations on this sheet. If students can read the numbers on the tags, they should record that information and report it to the Seashore.
- Tag Colors and Locations
  If students notice the color of a tag or other research tool, this chart will indicate at which location the seal or sea lion was tagged.
- Other Marine Species Sighting Log
  If students see other marine species, such as other pinnipeds, birds, or whales, their observations may be recorded here. Field guides in the teacher backpack (which may be checked out from Bear Valley Visitor Center) will aid in identification.
- Vocabulary
  Students should note any words and/or definitions they may forget while on field trip. This last sheet will then serve as a reference guide.

Field trip preparation
Review list of what students should bring on field visit.

Extension ideas

Research other laws written to protect mammals, plants and amphibians in Point Reyes National Seashore, California, and the United States. What happens if a protected animal leaves the area affording protection?
Research the role of a marine biologist. What is done with information biologists collect in the field, and how does it help the organism being studied?
Have students assume the role of aliens coming to study humans and their pets. What type of field journal would they need?

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