Preparing You For Your Education Session:
KS3/KS4 Giraffe Behaviour Study
Duration: 45 minutes
Where to meet your education officer: Meet the Discovery and Learning Officer for your session at the
Giraffes Height enclosure.
Curriculum links (links are for current specifications for each subject/exam board):
KS3: Working Scientifically; Biology (Genetics and Evolution).
Edexcel GCSE Biology - Unit B3 - Using Biology - Topic 2 - Behaviour - 2.3, 2.6, 2.9, 2.10.
AQA GCSE Biology - B1.4 Interdependence and Adaptation - B1.4.1 - Adaptations - a, f, g.
OCR GCSE Biology - Module B3 - Life on Earth - B3.1.2, B3.1.3, B3.1.7.8. Module B6 - Brain and Mind - B6.4.2.
AQA Environmental Studies—3.1.2—Wildlife Conservation (conservation methods); 3.1.3 Life processes in the
Biosphere (Adaptations).
Session content:
During the session students will:
In Giraffe Behaviour Study pupils will work
scientifically to collect real data on our herd of
giraffes. At Giraffe Heights, students will work in
groups and come face to face with our herd of giants
to collect behavioural data using ethograms. The
students will then use this data to create behaviour
bar charts and to compare behaviours between
different age groups in the herd. Group discussions
will then allow students to elaborate on how this data
could be used for the conservation of the species in
the wild.
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Discuss giraffe physical and behavioural
adaptations.
Record giraffe behaviour into an ethogram.
Analyse and communicate behavioural data
from an ethogram.
Describe how research can impact the
conservation of animals in the wild.
Using the Zoo to support this session:
The photocopiable worksheet on the back of this page supports students understanding on how physical
and behavioural adaptations enable animals to survive in their natural habitats.
Spend time at each of the following enclosures noting down all behaviours that you see the animals
exhibiting. Use the ethogram to note down each behaviour, describe the behaviour and how long the
animal was seen doing the behaviour.
Animal
Links to session
Location
Amur Tiger
Tiger behaviour
Asia
Sea lion
Sea lion behaviour
Base Camp
African Penguin
Penguin behaviour
Europe
Suggested classroom activity (for before or after your visit)
After your visit compare the data for different animals—do all the exhibit the same behaviour? Produce
an activity pie chart for each animal. What behaviours are different animals exhibiting the most/least?
Find out about animal enrichment and why its important for animals in a captive environment.
zsl.org/education
What type of habitat does the giraffe live in?
Circle the correct answer.
A - Savannah;
B - Rainforest;
C - Tundra;
D - Ocean
Describe the habitat that the giraffe lives in…
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Match the characteristic to the adaptation:
Long black tail hair
to evenly spread out the weight.
Blue/black tongue
used for fighting
Long eyelashes
to prevent sunburn.
Body spots
keeps out sand and dust.
Ossicones (horns)
help to maintain body temperature.
Large hooves
used to swat flies.
Living in a herd is an example of a behavioural adaptation. Why is it important that giraffes
live in a herd?
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zsl.org/education