WEB OF LIFE (Adapted from Project Learning Tree)

Water is a basic need of all living things. Students should already be familiar with the concept of energy and habitat and that animals need food, water, shelter, and space to survive.

Objective Students will research Texas organisms and create an interactive food web to demonstrate the concepts of basic needs, interdependence, energy flow, and producer/consumer relationships within an ecosystem. Materials

NOT PROVIDED Yarn Index cards or quartered paper Tape Critter of Texas Pocket Guide or field guide

Procedure Be ready to write on the chalkboard/dry erase board while your class is brainstorming ideas.

Have the class brainstorm a list of native Texas animals that live in water.

o Explain that these creatures need water not only to drink but also for shelter because it is where they actually live. (Ex: any species of fish, whale, dolphin, alligator, beavers, salamanders, turtles, etc.)

Have the class brainstorm a separate list of native Texas animals that rely on a water source in order to catch food.

o Explain that these animals need water to drink but they also rely on water as a hunting ground. (Ex: ducks, eagles, raccoons) They may list some animals from the first list.

Lastly, have the class brainstorm a list of native Texas animals that need water to drink. o This should include just about every possible animal!

Ask the students what they think about native plants.

o Into which list or lists would plants fit? Are there plants that live in the water? Is there any type of plant that does not need water?

What about insects?

Next, ask them about humans. o Under which list or lists do we fit? Do we rely on water as a hunting ground? Do we need water to

drink? For what else do we need water?  

Add several plants and insects, as well as humans to your list(s).

Using the lists on the board: Write the names of individual organisms on separate index cards, in writing large enough to read from 10 feet

away. Be sure to include several plant and insect organisms.

Assign and provide one card to each student. Students will research the organism assigned to them. Provide students with Critters of Texas Pocket Guides, field guides, encyclopedias and/or computer access to complete their research.

o Students will research what their organism eats, where it lives, and its’ predators. Instruct students to write their research findings on the back of their index card.

o For fun and if time permits, have the students draw their organism on the front of the index card.

 

Becoming the “Web of Life” Tape students’ cards onto their shirt as a nametag, so other students are able to see the organism they are

representing.

Make yourself two nametags, one that says “SUN” and another that says “BACTERIA.” Instruct the students that you will be creating a living web of life using a ball of yarn.

Ask your students about the term energy. Where does energy come from? What is the main source of energy?

(THE SUN!)

Then, ask your students about the last component on the energy food chain, bacteria. What does bacteria have to do with energy? How does bacteria obtain energy?

You, the sun and bacteria, will be in the center of the “Web of Life” circle.

Have the students create a big circle, standing shoulder to shoulder, facing the middle. Tell them that they will be throwing the ball of yarn to someone who uses them or they use as energy.

Holding the end of the yarn, you (the sun) throw the ball to a student who is wearing a plant nametag.

The plant student holds onto a section of the yarn and throws the ball to a student who is wearing the name of an animal that eats plants. Continue to connect the organisms with the yarn.

Continue until everyone is holding string and the entire class is connected by a large web. o You may be stuck with larger predators not being included in the web. In those situations, have them

throw you the ball since you also represent bacteria that use the energy of dead and decaying animals. You may be holding several pieces of string!

Tell everyone to take one step back. Ask the class if everyone can feel the tug. Tell them that they can because everyone is interconnected.

Tell the students that it has not rained in your little ecosystem in a very long time and that this drought is starting to take its toll on the organisms. Ask them which organisms will be the first to die.

Have all the plant students drop their strings. Ask who all felt their string loosen. Again, this is because they are interconnected.

Ask which groups will feel the effect next. Have the insects and herbivores drop their strings.

Ask which group will be next.

Have the omnivores and carnivores drop their strings.

The only one left should be you - the sun and bacteria. Discussion Ask students to explain what happened to your ecosystem. Explain to them how important water is to all living things and the devastating effects of water shortages. What other factors, both external and internal, could affect a food web? Extension Recreate the Web of Life using animals of a specific ecosystem such as a riparian area or desert.

Texas T

oad

Am

erican C

oot

American Kestrel

American Robin

Bald

Eagle

Barn

Sw

allow

American Kestrel

Has dark spots on the back of its neck

which are sometimes called false eyes,

fooling predators that it has already seen it.

Can hover is place while hunting and can

fly at speeds of 39 mph.

Its keen eyesight allows it to see a

grasshopper 100' away. Feeds on insects,

rodents, birds and snakes.

Smallest falcon in North America and is

often seen perching on wires, fence posts,

dead branches and utility poles near open

spaces.

Has a rust colored back and tail and white

chest, cheek and chin patches. Males have

American Coot

They live in wetlands

Their food is aquatic plants, grass, insects,

small fish and tadpoles.

Its cup-shaped nest floats hidden among

cattails.

It avoids predators by running across the

water.

It feeds throughout the day, diving for

aquatic plants and skimming the surface

for insects. It is commonly referred to as a

mudhen.

Texas Toad

This animal has poisonous glands behind

it's eyes that secrete a poison that irritates

the throat glands of any animal trying to

eat it.

Camouflaged coloration of grayish-brown

allows it to escape from predators like

birds and fish.

An insectivore that loves earthworms.

This animal spends part of its life in the

water and part on land.

Its young are called tadpoles and Texas is

found in it's name.

Barn Swallow

This animal finds a mate and sticks with it

for life.

Flies through the air and skims over ponds

and field to catch insects in its mouth.

A migratory species that spends its

summers in Texas.

This animal is a dark steel blue color with

a brownish underbelly and a forked tail.

Nests are made of mud and group in

colonies under bridges, in barns or sheds.

Bald Eagle

Lives in forested areas near rivers and

lakes.

It has no natural predators.

Its food consists of fish, waterfowl, birds

and carrion.

It catches its prey with its razor-sharp

talons by swooping down at speeds of 50

mph.

It was chosen as our nation's symbol in

1782, narrowly beating out the Wild

Turkey.

American Robin

Allows ants to crawl all over its body,

called anting, to rid itself of lice and other

parasites.

Found throughout Texas in mountains,

wooded areas and riparian areas.

Build nests out of mud, grass and twigs.

Lays a clutch of 3-5 pale blue eggs twice a

year.

Cock their heads side to side to hunt for

worms and insects because their eyes are

placed far back on the sides of their heads.

Males have slate-gray backs, rusty red

crests and white speckled throats. Females

are gray-brown with pale orange chests.

Barred Owl Black-capped Vireo

TPWD

Canada Goose

Golden-cheeked Warbler

TPWD

Great Blue Heron

TPWD

Greater R

oadru

nner

Canada Goose

They live in lakes, ponds, marshes and

rivers.

They migrate in V-shaped flocks,

sometimes flying as far as 4,000 miles.

Their food consists of aquatic plants,

insects, grass seeds and crops.

Pairs mate for life.

It is nicknamed "honker" because of the

distinct honking sound it makes.

Black-capped Vireo

Sometimes the female ends up raising

babies that aren't hers which has led to

endangered status.

An omnivore that loves insects and plants.

I migrate to Mexico each year.

It builds small compact nests in trees.

It's small with a black cap and a yellow

body.

Barred Owl

Its right ear is higher than its left ear help-

ing it to pinpoint its prey by sounds alone.

Nests February to April in tree hollows or

other abandoned tree nests. Lays an aver-

age clutch of 2-4 eggs once per year.

Feeds on mice, squirrels, rabbits, birds,

frogs, fish and crayfish.

Regurgitates pellets containing the indi-

gestible parts of its prey, including bones,

feathers and hair.

Has a white and brown barred collar and a

brown streaked underside.

Greater Roadrunner

A member of the cuckoo family, and is also

called the chaparral cock.

It obtains much of the water it needs from its

food; in addition, it reabsorbs water from its

feces before excretion and has glands located

near its eyes that excretes excess salt.

Has strong legs and special toes that allow it to

run at 15-18 mph. Two toes on each foot face

forward, and two toes face backward, giving it

an X-shaped track.

Sometimes forms pairs to hunt rattlesnakes.

Also feeds on insects, snakes, carrion, lizards,

bird eggs, small mammals, scorpions and small

birds.

Is heavily streaked with dark brown and white.

Has a shaggy crest, oversized bill and dark

head with a blue featherless area around its

bright yellow eye.

Great Blue Heron

Has four toed-feet to help distribute their

weight in the same manner as snowshoes,

preventing them from sinking into the

mud.

Eats frogs, snails, crayfish, fish, mice and

insects. Males and females will regurgitate

their food into the mouth of their young.

Lives throughout Texas and is often seen

standing still along the water's edge,

hunting for food.

Has a blue gray back with lighter

undersides and a white head with a black

crest.

This 'Great' animal is the largest of its

species. Often miscalled a crane.

Golden-cheeked Warbler

This animal only breeds in Texas.

It is endangered due to nest parasitism.

It is an insectivore.

The sexes are dimorphic, meaning they

don't look alike. The female is a dull olive

green while the male has bright yellow

cheeks.

It has a high pitched call you might refer

to as a warble.

Mallard

Mourning Dove Northern Bobwhite

Northern Cardinal Northern Mockingbird Red-tailed Hawk

Northern Bobwhite

Males and females build ground nests in

tall grass.

They are found throughout eastern Texas

They eat weed and pine seeds, acorns,

berries, grain and insects.

They roost in a group called a covey, and

will form a circle on the ground with their

bodies touching and their heads facing out.

This keeps them warm and allows them to

watch for predators.

The body is 8-10" long with a 13"

wingspan.

Mourning Dove

It is able to reach flight speeds of 60 mph.

Huge flocks gather in farm fields to feed

on seeds and fallen grain.

The regurgitated liquid it provides its

young is more nutritious than cow's milk.

Predators include the hawk, owl and

domestic cat. The squirrel and Greater

Roadrunner prey on eggs and nestlings.

It is named for its sad-sounding coo.

Mallard

Feeds with its tail straight up in the air or

by skimming the water just below the

surface.

Has a lamellate bill, which means that it

has tooth-like edges that act much like a

strainer, allowing it to hold a piece of food

while the water drains through.

Lays an average clutch of 6-15 eggs only

once per year.

Most abundant and widespread of all

waterfowl species and can be found almost

anywhere in the world.

The male is gray with a distinct green

head, thin white collar, rust colored chest,

yellow bill and orange legs. The female is

drab, mottled brown with a dull orange

bill.

Red-tailed Hawk

Found commonly perched in urban areas

throughout Texas on top of telephone poles

or fence posts.

Regurgitates pellets of indigestible parts of

prey.

Its eyesight is many times greater than

humans and it can see a small mouse or rat

from hundreds of feet in the air.

This is a powerful raptor or 'bird of prey'.

Named for the bright reddish tail feathers.

Northern Mockingbird

Very territorial and will even attack its own

reflection, sometimes injuring or killing itself.

Early settlers nicknamed it American

Nightingale since it sings complex songs all day

and into night. The males uses songs to

establish and defend breeding territory and to

attract a mate.

Feeds on insects, fruits and berries and is found

throughout Texas in farmlands, mesquite

chaparrals and deserts, even suburban areas.

Its genus name, Mimus, is Latin for mimic,

which describes its ability to imitate other birds

and even other sounds including frogs and

engines.

The state bird of Texas.

Northern Cardinal

It eats insects, seeds, fruit and berries.

They are seen in parks, backyards, brushy

fields and wooded valleys.

From April to August, during courtship,

males can be seen feeding females,

especially at feeders.

They are very territorial and have been

known to attack their reflection in

windows.

It's named after the red-robed members of

the Roman Catholic Church.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Sandhill Crane Scaled Quail

Turkey Vulture Wild Turkey

Wood Duck

Scaled Quail

Feeds on seeds, insects, fruits, grains and

buds.

Forages for food on the ground, scratching

and digging with its long toes and claws.

Prefers to run from danger, so when

flushed, it will fly only a short distance

before landing and running for cover.

Usually lives in a group called coveys,

which are made up of 17-20 birds each.

Coveys are often larger during the winter.

Named because it seems to have scales,

which is caused by black edges on gray

feathers.

Sandhill Crane

Lives in wetland areas usually near open

fields.

They are omnivorous ground feeders that

eat insects, small mammals, amphibians,

reptiles, bulbs, seeds and waste grain.

Can travel up to 300 miles a day during its

migration and winters in western and

southern Texas.

In the spring, males and females perform

an elaborate courtship display that involves

singing, bowing, skipping and leaping as

high as 15-20' into the air.

In March and May male and female return

to the same nesting site each spring.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Builds a cup-shaped nest about the size of

a walnut shell from plant material and spi-

der silk.

Eggs are the size of a pea. An average

clutch is two eggs and only 1-2 broods per

year.

Feeds on flower nectar, tree sap, small

insects and spiders.

Can fly at speeds of more than 60 mph and

even fly backwards.

Its name comes from the humming sound

created by the rapid beating of its tiny

wings that move at 50-75 beats per second.

Males have a bright red throat patch.

Wood Duck

They migrate in early fall to southern

states.

They eat insects, acorns, hickory nuts,

seeds of aquatic plants, grains and fruit.

They nest in abandoned woodpecker holes

or artificial nesting boxes 20-50' above

ground and adults often return to the same

nesting site each year.

Population numbers declined drastically in

the early 1900s due to wetland drainage

and unregulated logging and hunting.

The young jump from the nest within 24

hours of hatching, can feed themselves

immediately and are able to fly at 8-9

Wild Turkey

Has a beard that's not made out of hair.

An omnivore that loves insects and plants.

The males like to strut their stuff by show-

ing off their big beautiful fan.

Can fly but not for very long distances.

The adult males are known as toms or gob-

blers.

Turkey Vulture

This animal has a very good sense of

smell.

At night, it joins the group to roost.

This animal can fly for hours without stop-

ping, usually taking advantage of wind

patterns

It has a red head and black body.

You can often see this animal feeding on

carrion (remains of dead animals) on the

side of the road.

Nin

e-ban

ded

Arm

adillo

Bad

ger

Mexican F

ree-tailed B

at

Am

erican B

eaver

Bob

cat

Eastern

Cotton

tail

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

This animal produces young that are

approximately one quarter (1/4) the

mother's weight.

This animal migrates 800-100 miles each

year.

This animal can eat one third (1/3) of it's

weight in insects a night.

They use echolocation to hunt and sense

their surroundings.

It is a small mammal with wings and a free

tail.

Badger

This animal can dig at a faster rate than a

person can dig with a shovel.

It spends most of it's time underground.

This animal preys primarily on ground

dwelling animals, but will eat carrion.

It has short powerful legs with 2" long

claws.

It is grey overall, with a black and white

striped head.

Nine-banded Armadillo

To cross a stream or creek, it can hold its

breath for 6 minutes and walk across the

bottom.

Primarily an insectivore, but will also eat

small reptiles and carrion.

There is 1 litter per year and the young are

identical quadruplets, either all males or all

females.

The official Small Mammal of Texas.

Nine bands cover its body.

Eastern Cottontail

Its young, also known as kittens, are

altricial, which means they are born blind

and helpless.

It nests in a burrow, that is usually lined

with plant materials and fur.

It is an herbivore, feeding on tree bark,

grasses, and forbs.

It is the most preyed upon animal in North

America.

It has a fluffy, cottony white tail.

Bobcat

This animal is only found in North

America.

It can leap 7-10 feet in a single bound.

It is an excellent climber, and will often

use trees for resting, observation, and

protection.

This animal is a carnivore

It is named for its stubby, bobbed tail.

American Beaver

This animal can hold its breath for 15

minutes.

It is an herbivore, feeding primarily on

aquatic plants.

This animal is the largest rodent in North

America.

Its tracks are often erased by its large

dragging tail.

To maintain water levels these animals

may build dams up to 100 yards long.

Coyote

Mule Deer White-tailed Deer

Eastern

Fox S

qu

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Gray F

ox Black-tailed Jackrabbit

White-tailed Deer

Texas has over 4.5 million of this animal.

During breeding season, males make

marks on saplings to make rivals aware of

their presence.

This animal is an herbivore, feeding on

acorns, grains, bark, and mesquite beans.

Males have forward facing antlers that are

shed in the winter.

When alarmed, this animal raises its tail,

which resembles a white flag.

Mule Deer

It has several glands to secrete scent

(pheromones).

It has tremendous eyesight and hearing,

which help it avoid predators.

It is an herbivore and has a four-chambered

stomach to help digest tough woody plants.

Males have forked antlers that are shed in

the winter.

It is named for its prominent mule-like

ears.

Coyote

It is found throughout Texas in woodlands,

grasslands, deserts and prairies.

It is capable of running at speeds of more

than 30mph.

It is a carnivore preying on a variety of

animals.

It is known as the trickster in certain

Native American folklore because of its

clever ways.

Its distinct howl, coupled with short, high-

pitched yelps can often be heard in rural

areas.

Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Tracks are indistinct because of hair on the

bottom of their feet. Their hind print is

larger than their front.

This animal is a herbivore and eats foods

such as mesquite beans, buds, twigs and

bark, grasses, forbs, and cactus

They don't build a den but use forms

(shallow, bowl-shaped depressions on the

ground), usually near cover.

Gives birth to 2-6 litters per year with

usually 2 young per litter

This animal is actually a hare since it does

not build a nest for its young

Grey Fox

It is an omnivore, feeding on both plants

and animals.

It can reach speeds of 26-29 mph

Its tracks show four toes and four nails.

This is the only member of the canine

family that can climb trees.

It has large, pointed ears, and a furry tail

tipped with black.

Eastern Fox Squirrel

It uses its curved claws for climbing and its

tail for balance.

Predators include the hawk, owl, coyote

and bobcat.

They eat acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, tree

buds, bird eggs, berries, insects, corn and

fruit; caches food.

It has chisel-like, self-sharpening teeth that

grow continuously.

A summer litter is born in a 15" ball-

shaped treetop nest called a drey, which is

made of leaves and twigs, and lined with

moss, fur, feathers or lichen.

Javelina

Mou

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Lion

Wh

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Mou

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Virgin

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North

Am

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Porcu

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White-footed Mouse

This animal has white feet and is grayish

brown to cinnamon with white undersides.

This animal is primarily an omnivore, and

will eat seeds, fruits, insects, snails, nuts,

acorns, grains, fungi, berries, and alfalfa.

This animal will catch its food and remove

any shells before storing it.

They give birth to 4-5 litters per year, with

1-6 young per litter.

Known predators to this animal are the

domestic cat, coyote, fox, snake, badger,

owl, skunk, raccoon, mink, and bobcat.

Mountain Lion

On its tracks, the front foot has 5 toes but

only 4 make up the hind.

This animal is a carnivore and eats foods

such as mule deer, white-tailed deer,

bighorn sheep, rabbits, and javelina

They live on cliffside ledges sheltered rock

outcrop, and under fallen logs

They give birth to 1-4 cubs born blind with

spotted fur, and females give birth to cubs

only every other year.

This animal is the second-largest member

of the cat family inhabiting North America.

Javelina

This animal has a keen sense of smell,

which it uses to find underground bulbs

and roots.

This animal is an omnivore and eats foods

such as flowers, fruits, nuts, cacti, bulbs,

roots, grubs, reptiles, eggs, mesquite beans,

and acorn.

They live in caves, hollow logs, abandoned

burrows , and thickets.

Gives birth to 1-4 young fully mobile after

birth.

This is the only pig-like species native to

North America.

Pronghorn

This animal is cinnamon brown with white

undersides and white stripes on its neck.

This animal is a herbivore and eats

sagebrush, forbs, grasses, clover, lupine,

cacti, and cedar.

This animal is the fastest land mammal in

North America.

They commonly give birth to twins, which

are born virtually odorless.

Both sexes of this animal have simple

black horns that are covered in an outer

sheath.

North American Porcupine

This animals tracks show long nails and

bumpy pads.

This animal is a herbivore and eats clover,

grass, seeds, corn, leaves, evergreen

needles, aquatic plants, acorns, bark, and

twigs.

This animal lives in hollow logs, tree

cavities, under stumps and buildings, in

caves, and in abandoned burrows of other

animals.

They give birth to a single pup that has

dark fur and soft 1" quills.

This animal has approximately 30,000

quills on its body.

Virginia Opossum

This animal has a kangaroo-like pouch and

13 nipples for its young to attach to.

This animal is an omnivore and eats

worms, insects, reptiles, eggs, grain, fruits,

nuts, frogs, birds, vegetables, garbage, and

carrion.

This animal has hand-like tracks that show

a thumb on hind foot.

They give birth to 2 litters per year, 6-20

kits per litter.

When cornered, this animal will fall into a

death-like stare for up to three hours.

North

ern

Raccoon

Ringtail Desert Bighorn Sheep

Strip

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American Alligator

SuperC

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SuperC

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Red

-eared S

lider

Desert Bighorn Sheep

This animal can climb steep mountainsides

and can climb and jump with ease.

This animal is a herbivore and eats

mesquite, ironwood, jojoba, and grasses.

Its water requirements are mostly met by

foods such as cacti.

They live on desert mountain ranges,

bluffs, steep slopes, and ledges with cactus,

grasses, and yucca.

They give birth to one young per year.

Males of this animal battle for breeding

rights by ramming heads at speeds of 20

mph.

Ringtail

This animal is an agile climber and uses its

long tail for balance.

This animal is an omnivore and eats birds,

lizards, small mammals, insects, cactus,

fruits, and other plants.

This animal lives in abandoned burrows,

rocky outcrops and hollow logs.

They give birth to 1 litter per year, with 2-

4 per litter.

This animal is named for its prominent

raccoon-like tail (but is not a raccoon).

Northern Raccoon

This animal is an excellent climber and

swimmer.

This animal is an omnivore and eats nuts,

berries, insects, crayfish, garden

vegetables, grain, fruit, fish, frogs, birds,

rodents, carrion, and garbage.

This animal lives in rocky bluffs, hollow

trees, woodchuck burrows, culverts, and

under buildings.

They give birth to 1 litter per year, with 2-

7 young per litter.

They have small, hand-like prints, a

distinctive black face mask, and a bushy,

ringed tail.

Red-eared Slider

This animal sleeps either by sinking to the

bottom of a pond or floating on the surface.

An omnivore that eats insects, plants and

carrion.

Since this animal is cold-blooded, it basks

in the sun to warm up on logs in ponds and

rivers.

This animal is considered the most com-

mon aquatic turtle in Texas.

This animal has red coloration near its

ears.

American Alligator

This animal spent 20 years on the

endangered species list but was

successfully brought back from the brink

of extinction and now has healthy

population numbers.

The female incubates her eggs in a nest

made of mud near the water.

This animal is a carnivore with a hug

appetite. He can eat up to 20 lbs. a week!

This animal is very common in Texas and

might be found in bayous, swamps and

rivers.

This animal is found in the crocodile

family.

Striped Skunk

The young, called kits, are born blind,

wrinkled and toothless.

They are found throughout Texas in rocky

areas or ravines with thick vegetation,

chaparrals and mixed woodlands, and

prefer to be near water.

They are omnivores which feed on mice

and other small mammals, insects, reptiles,

fruit, eggs, garbage and carrion.

Their fur has a broad white V-shaped stripe

on its back and down its bushy tail, and

serves as a warning to predators.

When threatened it will defend itself by

releasing a foul-smelling spray it squirts up

to 15 feet.

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Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management

Western

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Western Diamondback

Rattlesnake

This animal has heat sensors between its

nose and eyes that allow it to hunt in

darkness.

This animal is a carnivore who enters

burrows to find prey. It can go several

weeks without food.

Females bear live young, which is unusual

for this type of animal.

This animal is considered the most

venomous in the United States.

This animal has diamonds on its back and

a rattle.

Texas Horned Lizard

An insectivore that swallows its prey

whole.

Horns cover its yellowish, brown body.

This animal can squirt blood from its eyes

as a way to confuse and scare off

predators.

This animal is sometimes referred to as a

horny toad, even though it is not a toad at

all.

This animal is the state reptile of Texas.