Small Mammals

Class Description:

In this animal ecology class, students will learn characteristics of some of the small mammals in northern Minnesota. By traveling through various habitats searching for small mammal signs, they will learn about the role these small creatures play in the environment. Students then set out live traps overnight, which will be collected in the morning, to observe the animals caught before releasing them back again into the wild.

Total time: 3 hours (two hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: moderate
Travel: 1/2 mile
Total uphill travel: 40 feet

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Small Mammals class students will be able to:

List the four characteristics that distinguish mammals from other animals.

Define niche and describe which niche is occupied by each of the small mammals native to northeastern Minnesota.

Find and interpret signs left by small mammals.

Describe a predator/prey relationship including small mammals.

Prepare and set a live trap for small mammals while responsibly monitoring and caring for the trap and any animals caught.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

The Small Mammals class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

Task Management Skills: Perseverance, Teamwork, Resource Management, Safety.

• H.S. Sciences 2.1: Biological Concepts (Know 3-6) (Do 2)
• H.S. Sciences 2.5: Environmental Studies (Know 3) (Do 1,3d)
• H.S. Managing Resources 5.1: Natural/Managed Systems (Know. 1,2)

• 6-8th Sciences M.1: Living Systems (Know 2,3) (Do 2)

• 4-5th Sciences I.1: Living and Non-living Systems (Know 1,3a) (Do 1, 4)

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

• Biodiversity: There is life found in every possible niche (habitat and role) on earth.
• Adaptations: All living things have physical and behavioral adaptations which allow them to survive in their environment.
• Ecosystems: Energy flows from one organism to another in a complex food web.
• Personal growth: Much can be learned by observing and drawing conclusions from indirect evidence, such as animal signs.
• Personal Growth: Ongoing research yields important information on changing trends such as populations.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to Small Mammal information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password