Science KS1 / KS2: Animals adapting to cold climates (no narration)
A montage of shots of a variety of animals adapting to life in a cold climate including wolves, bears, birds and buffalo.
This is from the series: Wonders of Nature
Teacher Notes
After viewing the clip, ask: "In what ways were the creatures we saw well-adapted to the cold climate?"
Collect pupils' suggestions, which might include that many of the animals had thick fur or feathers, or were well camouflaged for a white landscape.
The children might also have noticed examples of behaviour that helped some of the creatures thrive in low temperatures, such as the Japanese snow monkeys who seek out hot springs.
Ask: "Are there any creatures you would not expect to see in very cold places?" The children might suggest reptiles, amphibians, insects and molluscs are unlikely to be seen.
Establish that this is because they are less well-adapted to the conditions.
Round off the lesson by asking children to draw their own imaginary creature, which has features that make it perfectly adapted to a frozen world.
Curriculum Notes
This clip will be relevant for teaching Science and Geography. This topic appears in KS1 and KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Early and First level and Second Level in Scotland.
