FRANCINE THE BURROWING FROG OF THE HOT DESERT - ANIMAL ODDITY PART 1

Students are usually interested in the unusual, the different or the odd. Here's an example of 3 -probably 4 - animals of the desert who in terms of their basic biology don't seem to be suited to the hot desert environment. This first unit about a burrowing frog shows how this variety of frog - a water-loving animal can sustain itself in basically a water-deficient environment. This can be used as a standalone unit in Primary or lower Secondary classes. For some Primary students the vocabulary and concepts may be a little difficult. If that's the case you can just screen the material and discuss Francine's story. At a more detailed level this unit is about adaptation and species sustainability. You may wish to include it in your destination studies; arid lands studies or location studies or you may just be looking for something ready made for your students. The debate at the end is designed to check student level of understanding. The attachments are included so that you can provide copies - either in black and white or colour. Find out how Francine copes in two environments - the underground micro-environment and the above ground macro-environment. This is part 1 of the series on animal oddities.