ANIMAL ODDITIES PART 3 - BRONWYN THE BEARDED DRAGON OF THE AUSTRALIAN DESERT

This unit starts with the recognition of the oddity of lizards in a desert. Students are then taken into the Central Desert area of Australia in search of Bronwyn the Bearded Dragon. After a chance encounter on an unsealed road near Mount Conner, the students can join the search for Bronwyn - a favourite Bearded Dragon of a local ranger. By photograph, description and diagram the adaptations of Bronwyn indicate how it is possible for Bearded Dragon lizards to survive in an environment where temperature variations and moisture shortages exist. Take your students along for the experience and find answers to explain this oddity. The attached worksheet will test their understanding. This unit could be used at Primary levels or, with more depth, examined at Secondary levels. It slots into destination and locational studies (Australia); studies of animal adaptations (aridity) and issues of survival/sustainability. It could simply be used as a packaged interest unit.