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Post-visit Activities
1) Create an Imaginary Animal (Activity sheet.) This activity allows a review of concepts presented in the exhibit. You might want to: (1) Review the distinction between venomous and poisonous animals (see pre-visit activity sheet). (2) Ask students what are six methods of venom delivery and ask them to name one animal from the exhibit that delivers venom by each method (3) Discuss the difference between warning coloration and camouflage coloration.
The colors and patterns of the copperhead snake make it almost invisible in its woodland habitat. Camouflage conceals the snake while it hunts and protects it from predators such as hawks. Superior camouflage is the stonefish’s first line of defense. Some animals such as the coral snake have bright bands of color that serve to warn predators to stay away or suffer a venomous bite. Bright colors signal danger. Predators instinctively know or learn to avoid animals with those colors or behaviors.
2) Add to the list of venomous animals started by students before visiting the exhibit.
Some of the animals featured in the exhibit include: spiders, snakes, scorpions, jellyfish, fish, ants, corals, anemones, worms, snails, octopii, nudibranchs, centipedes, lizards, mammals (platypus, shrew, solenodon, loris) and insects. There are twenty-nine animals featured in the live displays of this exhibit. Remember that they only represent a very small fraction of the venomous animals in the world.
3) Ask students if there are venomous animals near where they live. What are they? Where would one be likely to find them?
The following animals featured in the exhibit might be found in California:
black widow spider—old buildings, woodpiles, garages
moon jellyfish—Tomales Bay, oceans worldwide
nudibranch—commonly found in tidepools, ocean
giant hairy scorpion—desert areas of southern California
northern Pacific rattlesnake—northern California
gila monster—desert areas of southeast California.
4) Ask students why animals have venom. How do animals use venom?
Venom in general serves two purposes:
1)To acquire food--venom is a very effective prey capturing tool. Many venoms include digestive enzymes which digest or partially digest the prey.
2) For self defense--venom is an effective defense. It serves to deter and to incapacitate predators or other animals that might cause harm.
5) Have each student write a "fascinating fact" they found in the exhibit on a strip of paper and put it in the "snake can." Pass the "snake can" and have students each read a fascinating fact.