Endangered Animals Database

Vermont Animals

Grades 3rd/4th

by
Cortney Greenslet

Objectives: To give studfents an idea of what types of animals we have in Vermont, and how the life of previously extinct animals has affected their poplulation.

Database Function: Researching, Recording,Sorting, Collaborating and Customized Report

Problem: There are many things that contribute to the extinction of an animal. Sometimes it is environmental, sometimes it is because of humans, and sometimes there is just not enough resources. In Vermont, some animals, like the Wild Turkey, were once extinct. I would like you to identify seven of the main types of animals (excluding bugs) which exist today in Vermont. Fill in the chart below with the information that you find, and include at least one or two which were or are extinct. Think about the animals that you have seen in your own travels. Talk with your families about the animals that they have spotted!

Activities:

1.) Go to these websites, and research Vermont animals.

http://academics.smcvt.edu/vtgeographic/textbook/animals/vermont_animals.htm

http://www.etsd.org/fms/treashnt/vtanimal.htm

http://www.cvps.com/eagles/index.shtml

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/

http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?pid=1&cid=8&id=106

2.) Pick seven animals that live in Vermont and research them. Fill out the needed information in the chart as you go. Remember: You need one or two which are, or have been previously extinct or endangered.

3.) Use the chart to understand more about the life of the animal, and its needs.

4.) Write a short narrative story about your favorite animal in your chart. Pretend like you are the animal, and describe the animals daily events, or describe how it would be to do a particular task. For example: "At feeding time as a Red-breasted Robin, I must chew the worms I find for my babies and...."

Vermont Animals and Extinction:

Animal Name

What Do They Eat?

What area or ecosystem do they live in?

Interesting Facts

Extinct or Endangered? Explain.

Reasons For extinction or continued growth.

White Tailed Deer Berries, leafy plants, mushrooms, and twigs. Forest or Bushy Area (All over Vermont/US) They leave their fawns unattended for a long while. At one point in the 1800's there were a very few left in Vermont. Over-hunted and prey for catamount/bobcats

Bald Eagle Fish and Waterfowl, but alos scavenge. They live in the forest along rivers and lakes They mate for life and can live for 30 years! Endangered in the state, threatened in the country. Forestry practices and lack of protected shorelines.

Coyote Flesh eater, they eat rabbits and anything available. Forested areas. Regulates hi body temp through panting. No. No, but parasite disease can cause a decrease.

Bear Berries and twigs and fish Mountainous, forested areas of Vermont They can run up to 60 km per hour! no none

Beaver

Woodchuck Fresh Garden and seeds and plants Swamps and Marshes The females get bigger than the males. No. No.

Wild Turkey Seeds, nuts, berries and twig buds. All over Vermont. Edges of forest and fields. Males and females have beardlike hair on chin. 1800's became extinct Over-foresting. Re-introduced into the wild.