Activity Guide
Grades K-1 | 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 this
threat continues 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:
Take action!
Who lives in the forest?
Who lives in the desert?
Examples:
Birds
Raccoons
Monkeys
Bears
Snakes
Examples:
Camels
Lizards
Tortoises
Scorpions
Coyotes
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 is in my habitat?
As a group, choose an animal and observe it in its
habitat. Ask the students:
1. How does the animal use its habitat?
Hint: where does the animal get its food?
2.
Jungle Loop
Savannah Loop
Help I’m Endangered!
Savannah, who?
Find the red panda habitat.
Tell the students:
The red panda is an endangered species, which
means there are very few of them alive in the
wild. Red pandas live in trees and eat mainly
bamboo leaves. Unfortunately, trees are being
cut down for lumber or fuel.
Ask the students:
How is the loss of trees and bamboo affecting
the survival of the red pandas?
At the elephant exhibit, ask the students:
Why does the elephant have large ears?
Answer: To 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.
At the giraffe exhibit, ask the students:
Why does the giraffe have a long neck?
Answer: To reach food high on top of a tree, etc.
How are the animal’s basic needs met?
Look for: water, food, shelter, living space
I spy…
Play a game of I Spy at Gibbon Islands or Meerkat:
Spot the different living and non-living things
in the habitat.
Look for: trees (living) vs. rocks (non-living)
Ask the students:
Why do habitats need to contain living and
non-living things in order for animals to
survive?
Hint: For non-living items, think about where
they may find shelter or how they camouflage.
For living items, think about where they might
find food & water.