The Process

In Dr. Green’s notes, there are jumbled, unclear comments about the animal’s physical characteristics, eating habits, and living conditions.

• Donkey-like animal;
• Dark brown fur;
• Two toes;
• About five and a half feet tall and almost seven feet long;
• Distinct pattern of horizontal strips
• Deer-like head;
• Large ears;
• Thick neck; horse-like neck;
• Males have two horns that are covered with fur;
• Leopards are enemies;
• Herbivore;
• Ruminant;
• Shy and likes to live alone;
• Tongue is almost a foot long and sticky; it is used to clean the body, eyes, and ears as well as reaching food;
• Well camouflaged;
• Prefers altitudes of 1600-3300 feet.

After reviewing Dr. Green's notes your team will complete the following steps:

Step 1
Your research team is made up of three areas of expertise. Each researcher will focus on a different area of science. Your group has the experience of a zoologist, a dietician and a geographer. Your teacher will assign your roles.

Step 2
Once you have your role and are ready to begin your research, your teacher will give each of you a graphic organizer that you will need to use in order to keep your notes in order. Each expert should explore the following sites in order to learn more background information about the rainforest before they begin their individual research:

All About Rainforests
Rainforest Glossary
Rainforest Resources/Facts
What is a Rainforest?

Now that you have completed your background research, you will assume your roles. Each expert is responsible for completing the tasks described in his/her role:

Role 1: Zoologist
You are the group expert on animals. Your job is to use the information provided in Dr. Green’s notes to identify the animal. To do this, you will need to research animals that live in the tropical rainforests and find a picture of an animal whose appearance matches the written descriptions in Dr. Green’s notes. From your research, you should be able to answer these questions:

• What is the scientific name of this animal?
• What is the common name of the animal?
• What animals is it related to?
• Is it endangered?

Animals of the Rainforest
Rainforest Animals
Tropical Rainforest Animals
GeoZoo Mammals!

Role 2: Dietician
You are the group expert on animal diets. You need to be able to explain to your group members the types of foods that the animal eats, and how it eats them. Help your group members by researching the definitions of the following terms:

• herbivore
• ruminants
• ferns
• fungi

Use these Internet sites to help you in your research:
About Ferns
Bugbytes
Fact Gadget: What are Fungi
Rainforest Plants
San Diego Wild Animal Park
What is a Herbivore?


Role 3: Geographer
You are the group expert on the geography of rainforests. Your job will be to research the boundaries of the different tropical rainforests in the world. Your teacher will provide you with a map that you can use to outline these boundaries. From your research you should be able to answer these questions:

• Where are tropical rainforests found in the world?
• Which specific countries do the rainforests cover?
• What are some characteristics of each of the rainforest regions?

Use these Internet sites to help you in your research:
Animals of the Rainforest: Tropical Rainforests
Learning about Rainforests
Rainforestweb.org: Rainforest Regions
Tropical Rainforest

Step 3
After you have completed all of the individual research you think is necessary, you will meet back as a group to compare your findings. You and your group members will need to agree on:

1. The identity of the animal
2. The type of plants that the animal eats, and therefore are in its habitat
3. The tropical rainforest in which the animal lives
4. Whether the animal is in need of protection

If your group cannot come to a conclusion, you will need to conduct more research as a group.

Step 4
Now you are ready to compile your group’s information and begin designing your brochure, model, and poster.

1. In your brochure you must include:

• The name of the animal
• A picture of the animal
• Pictures of the plants in its habitat
• Descriptions of all of these images
• An explanation of whether the animal is in need of protection

2. You can use construction paper, clay, markers, paints, real plants, and any other materials available to construct your 3-D model, but be sure to include:

• The animal
• Other geological features
• Plants and trees in the animal's habitat

3. In your poster you must include:

• A drawing of the animal
• A few basic facts about the animal
• Your opinion about whether the animal needs protection (Be sure to support your opinion with facts!)
• A description of what can be done to protect the animal if it needs protection