Activity Guide
Grades 2-4 | Habitats
CHAPERONES
Please use the following activities and
questions to guide students on your
learning expedition through the zoo.
Engage students in discussion, and
respond positively to their questions,
answers and ideas. Remember, your
primary responsibility is to keep your
students with you at all times. A map is
provided on the backside to help guide
the way to exhibits.
Have fun!
Say Cheese!
Have students help you spot the
following animals and then snap
the photo with your smartphone.
Upload the picture to Instagram,
#Nashvillezoo:
♦ An animal sleeping
♦ A flamingo standing on one leg
♦ A meerkat digging
Conservation
Message
What is a habitat?
A habitat is a place where a plant
or animal lives. Each habitat
provides food, water, shelter and
living space which are needed for
survival.
Check Out Our
Interactive Areas
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Kangaroo Kickabout
Critter Encounter
Lorikeet Landing
Historic Farm
Sometimes the habitat of a
species is threatened, for example
by the removal of trees, air or
water pollution, or littering. If
these threats continue over time,
all species living in this habitat are
in danger.
Students will enjoy a close-up
experience with zoo animals.
Please be aware that food and
drinks are not allowed in these
habitats!
Ask the students:
What is a rainforest?
What is a grassland?
Hints:
Tall trees
Rain
Hints:
Grass
Few trees or shrubs
Animals found here:
Monkeys
Parrots
Tree frogs
Animals found here:
Antelope
Ostrich
Tortoises
Take action!
What can you do in your school or
home to help protect animals and
their habitats?
♦ Think the “3 R’s”:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
♦ No littering
♦ Conserve energy by turning off
lights
♦ Use natural cleaners
Zoo Map
Let’s learn about Habitats!
Zoo Central
What happened to my home?
A healthy habitat is essential to an animal’s survival.
As you walk through the Unseen New World, look
closely at these exhibits and read the graphics:
• Golden frog
• Mexican beaded Lizard
• Puerto Rican crested toad
Savannah Loop
Jungle Loop
Wait! Who lives here?
Habitats are often home to more than just one animal.
Look closely at these multiple species exhibits:
• Ostrich/Eland
• Tapirs/Crested Screamers
Ask the students:
1. What allows these animals to live together in the
same habitat?
Hint: Do these animals eat the same type of food?
How do they use their water source? Where do they
find shelter?
Big ears and long necks!
Look closely at the elephant and giraffe exhibits.
Ask the students:
1. How do the elephant’s big ears help it survive in
its hot grassland habitat?
Answer: Large ears help them cool down in the
hot sun by fanning the large surface area of the
ear, to hear predators approach and to hear each
other, etc.
2.
How does the giraffe’s long neck help it survive
in its habitat?
Answer: To reach food high on top of a tree, etc.
Read the graphics:
1. How have changes to the habitat affected the
survival of these animals?
Hint: removal of trees, pollution, etc.
Answer: Each of these animals are
ENDANGERED or “in danger” of possibly
becoming extinct.
I spy…
Play a game of I Spy at Gibbon Islands or Meerkat.
Ask the students:
1. What items in this exhibit make it a perfect
habitat for the animal?
Hint: think - food, water, shelter & living space