Hibernation and Migration (1 hour)

How do different animals survive the winter?  Find out why some animals hibernate, or others migrate and others go on with life as usual!  Live and mounted animals will help students learn the secrets of winter survival.  This program may be done in your classroom or at the Nature Center.  The maximum number of groups scheduled at the Nature Center at one time is two.

AT THE NATURE CENTER:

Birds and Mammals (1/2 hour)

Students will begin seated in one of the classrooms in the Nature Center.  A display of birds and mammals of Connecticut will be set up on tables in front of the students.  Students will discover how these groups of endothermic animals survive the winter by hibernating, migrating, or staying active.  Mounted specimens, including a mallard duck, ruffed grouse, northern cardinal, great-horned owl, gray squirrel, coyote, eastern cottontail rabbit, porcupine, red fox, bobcat, black bear, woodchuck, and others, will allow students to closely observe the animals and some of their physical adaptations, such as feathers and fur.  Students will learn to relate these physical adaptations with physiological and behavioral adaptation to understand wintertime survival of the animals.

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Insects (1/2 hour)

Students will begin seated in one of the Nature Center classrooms.  Students will closely observe the characteristics of reptiles, amphibians, and insects.  Live animals, including frogs, turtles, a salamander, and a snake, will be used to introduce the cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians.  Students will learn that these animals have different ways of surviving winter through hibernating.  The instructor will guide the students in relating each animal shown to its winter lifestyle.  Physical adaptations and behaviors of insects will be introduced through large color photographs and mounted specimens.  Students will learn how insects survive winter through migration or dormancy.

IN YOUR CLASSROOM:

Hibernation and Migration (1 hour)

Students will be seated in a half circle on the classroom floor in order to facilitate a hands-on learning experience and close-up observation of the animals.  A display of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians of Connecticut will be set up on tables in front of the students.  Students will discover how endothermic animals survive the winter by hibernating, migrating, or staying active.  Mounted specimens of endothermic animals, including a mallard duck, northern cardinal, ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, eastern cottontail rabbit, bobcat, coyote, black bear, woodchuck, and others, will allow students to closely observe the animals and some of their physical adaptations, such as feathers and fur.  Students will learn to relate these adaptations to the wintertime survival of the animals.  Live exothermic animals, including frogs, turtles, a salamander, and a snake, will be used to introduce the reptiles and amphibians and their physical adaptations.  Students will learn that these animals have different ways of surviving winter through hibernating.  The instructor will guide the students in relating each animal shown to its winter behaviors. Physical adaptations and behaviors of insects will be introduced through large color photographs and mounted specimens.  Students will learn how insects survive winter through migration or dormancy.

Hibernation & Migration Vocabulary