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GRADES: 1-3
RELATED SUBJECTS: Science & Art
TIME: 30-40 minutes
VOCABULARY: adaptation, habitat, endemic, species
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND:
There are many tiny creatures who live in caves. Many have gone through processes of adaptation so they could live in a cave habitat. Cave creatures have developed ways to save energy by having a slower metabolism. Many cave creatures have reduced their use of vision and pigments because of the low amount of light. Most have longer limbs, bodies and/or antenna for finding food faster in darkness.
There are seven endemic, found in only one place, species of cave adapted life found in the Oregon Caves. You are likely to see the grylloblatid, springtail, harvestman, millipede, or pseudoscorpion in the cave.
OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this activity, the student will be able to
- understand that most of the life found in the cave go through processes of adaptation to their environment
- name one thing about cave adapted life
- name one cave adapted life-form (i.e. pseudoscorpion)
EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS:
National Science Education Standards: IA1,2,5; IIIA1, 2; IVA1
MATERIALS:
crayons and copies of cave life coloring pages provided with this lesson
PROCEDURE:
- Read and discuss the "Overview/Background" above
- Read the information provided on the coloring pages about the cave life
- Allow the students to color the pages
- As they color, have them look for adaptation changes in the cave life
CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING/EXTENSIONS:
- Have students take turns telling which cave life they like best and why. Is it because they build nests, use their tail to jump away from prey, or have lots of little legs?
CREDITS/RESOURCES:
- Adapted from handouts created at Oregon Caves National Monument
- Natural & Cultural History for Oregon Caves' Guides 6/9/04 by John Roth and Tom Siewert
- Oregon Caves National Monument Interpreters Handbook. Compiled and Edited by Roger Brandt
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