National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
Zion National Park
Adaptation Auction Activity Materials
NPS/CHRISTOPHER GEZON Adaptations for Auction
• Prehensile tail • Stinking spray • Sticky foot pads • Waterproof coat • Large eyes • Eyespots • Fur • Scales • Fast speed • Stinger • Horns • Invisibility • Changeable pigmentation • Sharp quills • Compound eyes • Fire breath • Large ears • Hibernation or aestivation • Whiskers • Flashy coloration • Omnivorous • Migration • Long tongue • Camouflage • Sound making • Sharp canine teeth • Wings • Long neck • Great swimming ability • Large hind legs
etland W etland
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Wetland
• A wetland habitat is where the ground is saturated with and sometimes covered in water.
• In Zion, wetlands include swamps and marshes and are typically found near rivers and streams.
• Many different plants and animals (both land and water dwelling) find homes in wetlands.
• Zion wetland features: ∙ Unavoidable water, often in shallow pools ∙ Humid air ∙ Moist, soft soil ∙ Sun on the outside and shade beneath the larger plants
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
f Clif f
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Cliff
• A cliff is a large, vertical, exposed rock.
• In Zion, cliffs are made of sandstone and tower about 1,000-2,000 feet over the canyon floor.
• Some very hardy plants and animals find homes on a cliff.
• Zion cliff features: ∙ Occasional water from rain or snow ∙ Exposure to wind and extreme temperatures (hot and cold) ∙ Little-to-no soil ∙ Sun on the cliff face, shady in overhangs ∙ Difficult to access ∙ Lots of cracks, alcoves, and small caves
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Riparian Riparian
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Riparian
• The riparian habitat is the area where land and flowing water meet.
• In Zion the riparian habitat occurs mostly along the Virgin River and small streams.
• Many different plants and animals (both land and water dwelling) find homes in riparian habitats.
• Zion riparian habitat features: ∙ Water readily available, still pools of water sometimes present ∙ Moist, nutrient-rich soil ∙ Sun on the outside and shade on the interior of the tree canopy ∙ Annual flash floods rush through the area ∙ Rocks and flood debris are often present
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Desert Desert
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Desert
• A desert habitat is where potential for water loss (by plant and animal use, and by evaporation) is greater than gain.
• In Zion, desert habitat covers the park’s lowest elevation.
• Very hardy plants and animals find homes in a desert.
• Zion desert features: ∙ Little water availability ∙ Very dry air, sometimes windy ∙ Dry and often salty soil ∙ Lots of sunlight ∙ Extreme heat in summer, cold in winter ∙ Bare rocks and cliffs are sometimes present
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
oodland oodland
Pinyon-Juniper W Pinyon-Juniper
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Pinyon-Juniper Woodland
• A pinyon-juniper woodland is a forest community dominated by juniper and pinyon pine trees.
• In Zion the pinyon-juniper woodland is the most common habitat.
• Various plants and animals find homes in a pinyon-juniper woodland.
• Zion pinyon-juniper woodland features: ∙ Limited water availability, mostly from monsoon rains or snow ∙ Dry air ∙ Bare rock and crumbly soil ∙ Occasional wildfires ∙ Exposure to summer heat and winter cold
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
est
sa Pine For Pondero
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Ponderosa Pine Forest
• A ponderosa pine forest is a habitat dominated by ponderosa pine trees.
• In Zion, this forest is found at the highest elevations of the park, typically on plateau and mountain tops.
• Many different plants and animals find home in a ponderosa pine forest.
• Zion ponderosa pine forest features: ∙ Some water availability, largely from monsoon rains or snowmelt ∙ Dry air most of the year ∙ Occasional fires, particularly in spring and fall ∙ Sun on the outside and shade on the interior of the tree canopy ∙ Warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Surviving Zion Materials Habitat Cards, Adaptation Auction
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Large Eyes Eyes Large
Prehensile Tail Tail Prehensile
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: Mexican spotted owl, kangaroo rat rat kangaroo owl, spotted Mexican Zion: In
Animal Examples: owls, mice mice owls, Examples: Animal • •
situations. situations.
improving vision in low-light and nighttime nighttime and low-light in vision improving
Large eyes can collect and process more light, light, more process and collect can eyes Large • •
with extra-wide pupils. pupils. extra-wide with eyeballs large are These • •
Large Eyes Eyes Large
In Zion: none known known none Zion: In
Animal Examples: monkey, possum possum monkey, Examples: Animal • •
Some have a bare “friction patch” to aid gripping. gripping. aid to patch” “friction bare a have Some • •
This is a long tail that can grasp and hold objects. objects. hold and grasp can that tail long a is This • •
Prehensile Tail Tail Prehensile
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Pigmentation Pigmentation
Changeable Changeable
Fast Speed Speed Fast
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: canyon treefrog treefrog canyon Zion: In
Animal Examples: chameleon, squid squid chameleon, Examples: Animal • •
match the surrounding environment. environment. surrounding the match
The color and pattern of an animal’s skin changes to to changes skin animal’s an of pattern and color The • •
This is a special type of camouflage. camouflage. of type special a is This • •
Changeable Pigmentation Pigmentation Changeable
In Zion: peregrine falcon, black-tailed jackrabbit jackrabbit black-tailed falcon, peregrine Zion: In
Animal Examples: cheetah, antelope antelope cheetah, Examples: Animal • •
Fast speed typically comes in short sprints or bursts. bursts. or sprints short in comes typically speed Fast • •
This helps animals catch prey or avoid predators. predators. avoid or prey catch animals helps This • •
Fast Speed Speed Fast
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Omnivorous Diet Diet Omnivorous
Large Ears Ears Large
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: ringtail, coyote coyote ringtail, Zion: In
Animal Examples: humans, pigs pigs humans, Examples: Animal • •
and pointed) for use on different types of food. food. of types different on use for pointed) and
Omnivores typically have different types of teeth (flat (flat teeth of types different have typically Omnivores • •
This animal will eat both plants and animals. animals. and plants both eat will animal This • •
Omnivorous Diet Diet Omnivorous
In Zion: mule deer, desert cottontail cottontail desert deer, mule Zion: In
Animal Examples: mules, elephants elephants mules, Examples: Animal • •
escape through the many exposed blood vessels. vessels. blood exposed many the through escape
Large ears can help cool th cool help can ears Large e body by allowing heat to to heat allowing by body e • •
These trap more sound allowing better hearing. hearing. better allowing sound more trap These • •
Large Ears Ears Large
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Ability Ability
Great Swimming Swimming Great
Sound Making Making Sound
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: beaver, Virgin River spinedace spinedace River Virgin beaver, Zion: In
Animal Examples: dolphin, otter otter dolphin, Examples: Animal • •
water both full and part time. time. part and full both water
Swimming ability is found in animals that live in in live that animals in found is ability Swimming • •
This helps animals live in or near water. water. near or in live animals helps This • •
Great Swimming Ability Ability Swimming Great
In Zion: house finch, coyote coyote finch, house Zion: In
Animal Examples: whale, cricket cricket whale, Examples: Animal • •
Sounds can be chirps, wails, cries, songs, etc. etc. songs, cries, wails, chirps, be can Sounds • •
This is a helpful feature for communication. communication. for feature helpful a is This • •
Sound Making Making Sound
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Scales Scales
Waterproof Coat Coat Waterproof
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: all snakes, lizards, desert tortoise tortoise desert lizards, snakes, all Zion: In
Animal Examples: snake, lizard lizard snake, Examples: Animal • •
help keep the animal from drying out. out. drying from animal the keep help
On reptiles, scales help protect the animal and also also and animal the protect help scales reptiles, On • •
animal’s skin. skin. animal’s
These are small, stiff plates that grow from an an from grow that plates stiff small, are These • •
Scales Scales
In Zion: beaver, American dipper dipper American beaver, Zion: In
Animal Examples: duck, sea otter otter sea duck, Examples: Animal • •
the animal’s fur or feathers. feathers. or fur animal’s the
Like a raincoat, the oil keeps water from penetrating penetrating from water keeps oil the raincoat, a Like • •
produced by the body. body. the by produced
This is a layer of fur or feathers waterproofed with oil oil with waterproofed feathers or fur of layer a is This • •
Waterproof Coat Coat Waterproof
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Fire Breath Breath Fire
Invisibility Invisibility
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: none none Zion: In
Animal Examples: dragon dragon Examples: Animal • •
Fire breath might be used for defense or attack. attack. or defense for used be might breath Fire • •
exhales fire. fire. exhales
This is a mythical (imaginary) adaptation. The animal animal The adaptation. (imaginary) mythical a is This • •
Fire Breath Breath Fire
In Zion: none none Zion: In
Animal Examples: unicorn unicorn Examples: Animal • •
prey. prey.
Invisibility might be used to evade predators or hunt hunt or predators evade to used be might Invisibility • •
animals cannot be seen. seen. be cannot animals
This is a mythical (imaginary) adaptation. In this state, state, this In adaptation. (imaginary) mythical a is This • •
Invisibility Invisibility
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Camouflage Camouflage
Flashy Coloration Flashy
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: bighorn sheep, garter snake snake garter sheep, bighorn Zion: In
Animal Examples: tiger, grasshopper grasshopper tiger, Examples: Animal • •
tiger’s or zebra’s stripes). stripes). zebra’s or tiger’s
Camouflage may be solid colors or markings (like a a (like markings or colors solid be may Camouflage • •
This allows an animal to blend into its surroundings. surroundings. its into blend to animal an allows This • •
Camouflage Camouflage
In Zion: monarch butterfly, striped skunk skunk striped butterfly, monarch Zion: In
Animal Examples: parrot, poison dart frog frog dart poison parrot, Examples: Animal • •
predators, or fend off rivals. rivals. off fend or predators,
Flashy coloration can be used to attract mates, warn warn mates, attract to used be can coloration Flashy • •
something to other animals. animals. other to something
This is like an advertisement, used to communicate communicate to used advertisement, an like is This • •
Flashy Coloration Coloration Flashy
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Sticky Foot Pads Pads Foot Sticky
Long Neck Neck Long
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: Zion snail, canyon treefrog treefrog canyon snail, Zion Zion: In
Animal Examples: gecko, octopus octopus gecko, Examples: Animal • •
mucus, or discs that work like suction cups. cups. suction like work that discs or mucus,
Sticking ability can come from tiny hairs, sticky sticky hairs, tiny from come can ability Sticking • •
animal cling (hold) to vertical surfaces. surfaces. vertical to (hold) cling animal
These are surfaces on the feet the on surfaces are These and toes that help the the help that toes and • •
Sticky Foot Pads Pads Foot Sticky
In Zion: wild turkey, California condor condor California turkey, wild Zion: In
Animal Examples: giraffe, ostrich ostrich giraffe, Examples: Animal • •
predators. predators.
Long necks can be used to get food or watch for for watch or food get to used be can necks Long • •
A long neck extends the animal’s reach. reach. animal’s the extends neck long A • •
Long Neck Neck Long
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Horns Horns
Fur Fur
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: desert bighorn sheep sheep bighorn desert Zion: In
Animal Examples: bulls, rhinoceros rhinoceros bulls, Examples: Animal • •
courtship. courtship.
Horns are used for defense, communication and and communication defense, for used are Horns • •
head, most often in a pair. pair. a in often most head,
These are permanent bone structures on an animal’s animal’s an on structures bone permanent are These • •
Horns Horns
In Zion: bobcat, muskrat muskrat bobcat, Zion: In
Animal Examples: bear, dog dog bear, Examples: Animal • •
thickness based on the season. season. the on based thickness
warmth. Others have fur that changes color or or color changes that fur have Others warmth.
Some animals have multiple multiple have animals Some fur layers for extra extra for layers fur • •
Fur is a covering of hair. hair. of covering a is Fur • •
Fur Fur
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Whiskers Whiskers
Compound Eyes Eyes Compound
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: bobcat, desert woodrat woodrat desert bobcat, Zion: In
Animal Examples: housecat, mouse mouse housecat, Examples: Animal • •
found on the feet or legs. legs. or feet the on found
Whiskers usually grow from the face, but are also also are but face, the from grow usually Whiskers • •
feeling. feeling.
These are special stiff hairs or feathers used for for used feathers or hairs stiff special are These • •
Whiskers Whiskers
In Zion: dragonflies, butterflies butterflies dragonflies, Zion: In
Animal Examples: bees, crabs crabs bees, Examples: Animal • •
better detection of fast movement. movement. fast of detection better
Compound eyes allow a larger angle of view and and view of angle larger a allow eyes Compound • •
of one large one like a human’s. human’s. a like one large one of
These eyes are made up of many small lenses instead instead lenses small many of up made are eyes These • •
Compound Eyes Eyes Compound
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Wings Wings
Long Tongue Tongue Long
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: bats, birds birds bats, Zion: In
Animal Examples: birds, flies flies birds, Examples: Animal • •
pairs. pairs.
Wings come in many shapes, sizes, and sometimes in in sometimes and sizes, shapes, many in come Wings • •
Wings are typically used for flight. flight. for used typically are Wings • •
Wings Wings
In Zion: sphinx moth, collared lizard lizard collared moth, sphinx Zion: In
Animal Examples: cow, frog frog cow, Examples: Animal • •
Some tongues are so long they curl inside the mouth. mouth. the inside curl they long so are tongues Some • •
food. food.
This is not only used for taste but also for grabbing grabbing for also but taste for used only not is This • •
Long Tongue Tongue Long
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Eyespots Eyespots
Stinking Spray Spray Stinking
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: northern pygmy-owl, some butterflies butterflies some pygmy-owl, northern Zion: In
Animal Examples: peacock, butterfly fish fish butterfly peacock, Examples: Animal • •
may even be used for communication and courtship. courtship. and communication for used be even may
They are good for scaring or confusing predators and and predators confusing or scaring for good are They • •
eyes. eyes.
These are markings which appear to be, but are not, not, are but be, to appear which markings are These • •
Eyespots Eyespots
In Zion: striped skunk, spotted skunk skunk spotted skunk, striped Zion: In
Animal Examples: skunk, housecat housecat skunk, Examples: Animal • •
marking. marking.
Some sprays are used for defense; others for territory territory for others defense; for used are sprays Some • •
ejected from the body. body. the from ejected
This bad or strong smelling liquid can be be can liquid smelling strong or bad This • •
Stinking Spray Spray Stinking
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Sharp Quills Quills Sharp
Stinger Stinger
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: porcupine porcupine Zion: In
Animal Examples: porcupine, hedgehog hedgehog porcupine, Examples: Animal • •
their body so the quills are more prominent. prominent. more are quills the so body their
Animals cannot shoot their quills, but can move move can but quills, their shoot cannot Animals • •
Quills are long, stiff hairs with barbed ends. ends. barbed with hairs stiff long, are Quills • •
Sharp Quills Quills Sharp
In Zion: scorpion, honey bee bee honey scorpion, Zion: In
Animal Examples: wasp, hornet hornet wasp, Examples: Animal • •
used for defense or offense. offense. or defense for used
They are usually located at at located usually are They the tail end and may be be may and end tail the • •
and delivers some type of venom. venom. of type some delivers and
This is a sharp body part that pierces another animal animal another pierces that part body sharp a is This • •
Stinger Stinger
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Migration Migration
Estivation Estivation Hibernation/ Hibernation/
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: most songbirds, monarch butterflies butterflies monarch songbirds, most Zion: In
Animal Examples: many songbirds, wildebeest wildebeest songbirds, many Examples: Animal • •
changing climate, or a need for food. food. for need a or climate, changing
Migration may be triggered by changing seasons, seasons, changing by triggered be may Migration • •
This is a seasonal movement to better habitat. habitat. better to movement seasonal a is This • •
Migration Migration
desert tortoise (estivation) (estivation) tortoise desert
In Zion: lizards (hibernation) (hibernation) lizards Zion: In
crocodile (estivation) (estivation) crocodile
Animal Examples: bear (hibernation), (hibernation), bear Examples: Animal • •
In estivation the animal avoids extreme heat. heat. extreme avoids animal the estivation In
During hibernation an animal avoids cold conditions. conditions. cold avoids animal an hibernation During • •
inactive to avoid temperature extremes. extremes. temperature avoid to inactive
This is a period of dormancy when an animal is is animal an when dormancy of period a is This • •
Hibernation/Estivation Hibernation/Estivation
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
Large Hind Legs Legs Hind Large
Teeth Teeth Sharp Canine Canine Sharp
Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Auction Auction Adaptation Cards, Adaptation Materials Zion Surviving
In Zion: kangaroo rat, canyon treefrog treefrog canyon rat, kangaroo Zion: In
Animal Examples: kangaroo, frogs frogs kangaroo, Examples: Animal • •
They are often used for escaping predators. predators. escaping for used often are They • •
long distances. distances. long
These enlarged back legs help animals jump high or or high jump animals help legs back enlarged These • •
Large Hind Legs Legs Hind Large
In Zion: coyote, mountain lion lion mountain coyote, Zion: In
Animal Examples: dog, tiger tiger dog, Examples: Animal • •
occasionally for defense. defense. for occasionally
They are used for holding and tearing food and and food tearing and holding for used are They • •
They are long, pointed teeth, sometimes called fangs. fangs. called sometimes teeth, pointed long, are They • •
Sharp Canine Teeth Teeth Canine Sharp