44 Animals and Habitats: Supplemental Guide 2A | Animals of the Arctic Habitat
- [Show Image Cards 1 (Arctic Hare), 2 (Caribou), and 3 (Arctic
Fox).] In today’s lesson you heard about these animals which
have adapted to their Arctic habitat. Tell me some of the ways
each animal has adapted to the Arctic habitat. Be sure to use
the word adapted in your answer.
[Ask two or three students. If necessary, guide and/or rephrase
students’ responses: “The has adapted to the Arctic habitat
because.. .”]
- Arctic hare: [Hint: look at the color of its fur; the size of its ears.]
The Arctic hare has adapted to the Arctic because it has white
fur, so it blends in with the snow; its fur gets thicker in the
winter, so it can stay warm; and its ears are smaller, so less of its
body is exposed to the cold. - Caribou: [Hint: look at the number of Caribou; look at their fur;
look at the male’s antlers.] Caribou have adapted to the Arctic
habitat because they travel in herds, so they are protected from
attack by other animals; they have hair that traps air, so they are
kept warm; male caribou have antlers, so they can dig for grass
in the snow. - Arctic fox: [Hint: look at the color of its fur; look at what is on its
feet.] The Arctic fox has adapted to the Arctic habitat because
it has white fur in the winter, so it blends in with the snow; it has
brown fur in the summer, so it blends in with its surroundings
in the summer; it has fur on its feet, so it can walk on snow and
ice.
- What’s the word we’ve been talking about?
Show image 2A-10: Walruses
Use a Discussion activity for follow-up. Directions: Tell your partner
some ways walruses have adapted to the Arctic habitat. (Walruses
have adapted to the Arctic habitat by storing blubber, or fat, under
its skin, so they stay warm; they have tusks, or long teeth, so they
can pull themselves up out of the water and onto the ice.)
Complete Remainder of the Lesson Later in the Day