Facilitated Program

Home , Australian megafauna, Megafauna, Thylacoleo, Wonambi

Western Australian Museum Perth

4 - 7 Middle Childhood

Fossil Forensics: Magnificent Megafauna Facilitated Program

Overview : Investigate the events of a real Museum expedition to an underground cave on the Nullarbor Plain to recover skeletal remains of a unique marsupial predator. Meet the Museum’s marvellous megafauna and unravel the mystery behind their extinction.

Duration : One hour facilitated experience with a Museum Education Officer. Please allow approximately 45 minutes additional time for self-guided gallery exploration using Student Activity sheets and Adult Helper Guide.

What your class will experience: Learn about the discovery of skeletal remains of an extinct Australian marsupial predator. Investigate each stage of the unique and significant Museum project to recover and study the remains. Participate in hands-on activities that reflect the examination and reconstruction of the animal’s skeleton. Explore theories of megafauna extinction.

Excursion Booking and Enquiries: For enquiries and bookings please contact:

Western Australian Museum – Perth Education Phone: 9427 2792 Fax: 9427 2883 Email: [email protected]

Teacher Resource

Links 3 Curriculum Galleries At the Museum 4 Facilitated Program Self-guided Experience Related Museum Resources At School 6 Classroom Activities DVD Activities Related Classroom Resources

Adult Helper Guide 9 Photocopy Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna Adult Helper Guide (for every adult)

Student Activity Sheets 14 Photocopy Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna Student Activity sheets (for every student)

Curriculum

Life and Living Science Students understand their own biology and that of other living things and recognise the interdependence of life. Investigating Students investigate to answer questions about the natural and technological world, using reflection and analysis to prepare a plan; to collect, process and interpret data; to communicate conclusions and to evaluate their plan, procedures and findings.

Key Messages 1. Skeletal remains can teach us about the appearance, habitat, behaviour and extinction of Australia’s megafauna. 2. We can learn about extinct species by comparing them to living species with similar features.

Galleries

Western Australia: Land and People Hackett Hall, Level 1

Diamonds to Dinosaurs Jubilee Wing, Level 2

Mammals Gallery Jubilee Wing, Level 1

Facilitated Program One hour The facilitated component of Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna takes place in one of the Museum’s learning spaces. This hands-on investigation, facilitated by a Museum Education Officer, guides students through the discovery, recovery, examination and reconstruction of the skeletal remains of the ‘marsupial lion’ Thylacoleo carnifex. Discovered in an underground cave on the Nullarbor Plain in 2002, a near-complete Thylacoleo skeleton was the subject of a significant project undertaken by a team led by the Western Australian Museum, and to this day is considered to be one of the most important discoveries of megafauna remains. Please have your students split into four or five groups for this experience (depending on the number of students and adults). Each group will require one adult supervisor to assist them with the activities.

Self-guided Experience Approximately 45 minutes The self-guided component of Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna takes place in the Museum’s galleries. Using the questions contained within the Adult Helper Guide, group leaders will be able to assist students to complete their Student Activity sheets and explore our collection of megafauna-related exhibits. Please allow for time to explore the galleries before or after your facilitated program. Maps are available at the Front Desk to assist you in locating these galleries, or please ask a staff member for directions.

Photocopy Please bring with you on the day of your excursion: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna Adult Helper Guide (for every adult) Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna Student Activity sheets (for every student)

Related Museum Resources Planning Your Excursion Excursion Management Plan Excursion Essentials Available online at www.museum.wa.gov.au/education

Western Australian Museum Teacher Resource: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au © 2010 4 DVD Bone Diggers – Mystery of a Lost Predator DVD: $20 per school group. This Western Australian Museum production is a documentary that follows the discovery, recovery and research of the Thylacoleo skeleton. This DVD will consolidate what is learned during the excursion and should be viewed in the days following the Museum visit. Please find activities specific to the DVD listed in the Suggested Activities section of this document.

Available for purchase, please enquire at time of booking.

Photo courtesy: Clay Bryce, © WA museum.

Classroom Activities

From this list, please select some activities that are suitable for the age and ability of your students.

What are megafauna?: Explore the meaning of the terms ‘mega’ and ‘fauna’ with your class, and discuss why there are varying definitions for the term ‘megafauna’. Two common definitions are: Large animals (over 45 kg) which became extinct in the last Ice Age or Pleistocene, Era, between 10,000 and 50,000 years ago (for example Woolly Mammoths and Sabre-toothed Tiger) Any large animal, either living or extinct, for example elephant, hippopotamus and bison. (please note that the focus of this program is on extinct Australian Megafauna, including Diprotodon, Thylacoleo, and other giant ancestors of today’s Australian mammals, birds and reptiles). Megafauna around the world: Brainstorm examples of extinct megafauna from Australia and other continents. Compare extinct megafauna to animals that exist today and examine their features and habits. In small groups, students can each research and present information on a chosen megafauna species and include information on habitat, diet, behaviour, special features, and how the animal got its name. Each group could also research where skeletal or fossil evidence was found and mark this on a world map. Do a diorama: Use modelling clay and other materials to make a ‘Museum’ display about a megafauna species, including information panels with a brief description. Classified information: Define and present information on the following ways to classify an Australian animal: Mammals: What features does a mammal have? Marsupials and Monotremes: How do they differ from other mammals? Which megafauna species were marsupials or monotremes? Conservation: Imagine that a chosen extinct Australian megafauna species was discovered alive today (for example, a pair of Thylacines were discovered in local bushland). Students work in teams to develop a plan to help this species survive (and thrive), including strategies to identify and minimise threats, analyse the animals’ natural habitat and requirements, develop a safe breeding ground and to raise awareness of the animal’s existence once its safety is assured. Students could find out about existing conservation projects for threatened Australian species.

Western Australian Museum Teacher Resource: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au © 2010 6 PMI Analysis: What would it be like if extinct Australian megafauna species were alive today? Draw up a ‘PMI’ (Plus, Minus, Interesting) chart and host a class discussion, recording the potential positive, negative and interesting outcomes of megafauna species living in their local environment today. Timelines: The class can develop a pictorial timeline of the various periods in geological history, highlighting the evolution and extinction of groups such as the dinosaurs, mammals, megafauna and humans.

Fossil Forensics: Gathering evidence from examining fossilised remains can help us to understand the past. Create a class brainstorm of information that can be obtained from a skeleton (such as age, broken bones, tooth shape, size of bones, hip width, etc). Research some examples of well-known human and animal remains that provide specific information (eg. mummified body of Tutankhamun, body casts from Pompeii, bog bodies from Northern Europe and frozen specimens of Woolly Mammoth). Make a chart that matches facts that we know about dinosaurs to the clues that inform us of these facts. For example, tooth and jaw shape indicate an animal’s diet, plant fossils may suggest habitat, leg bones and footprints give clues to an animal’s locomotion, and complete skeletons allow us to compare size and shape to living animals.

DVD Activities:

Following the Museum visit, view the DVD Bone Diggers – Mystery of a Lost Predator and select any of the activities below:

Make a list of the jobs for the people involved in the Western Australian Museum’s Thylacoleo expedition, based on observations from viewing the DVD. Discuss how projects such as this involve a range of experts. Students write a diary, newspaper article or re-enact an interview with one of the team members involved in the discovery, recovery or research of the Thylacoleo skeleton. Students can use available resources, as well as their existing knowledge to build up a bank of questions and answers about the discovery before adapting the information to an article or an interview format. Students imagine that they are embarking on an important field trip to the Nullarbor Plain to find more cave specimens. Make a list of the equipment required for the expedition. Develop a flow-chart outlining each stage of the Thylacoleo project, including the discovery of the cave, the recovery of the remains, the research of each part of the body and the unveiling of the skeleton display at the museum. In groups, students can make a model of the cave where Thylacoleo was discovered. This can include using scale measurements and investigating ways to present the cave, such as in a cross-section. Explore the reasons why animal remains were so well preserved in the cave, including environmental conditions, lack of predators, etc. Western Australian Museum Teacher Resource: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au © 2010 7 Related Classroom Resources Publications The Short, Tragic Life of Leo the Marsupial Lion by John Long (best to read after the Museum visit) Prehistoric Giants: the Megafauna of Australia by Danielle Clode. Gogo Fish!: The Story of the Western Australian State Fossil Emblem by John Long.

DVD Death of the Megabeasts (Catalogue Number SBS1283)

Photo courtesy: Clay Bryce, © WA museum.

4 - 7 Middle Childhood

Fossil Forensics: Magnificent Megafauna Adult Helper Guide

Photocopy Fossil Forensics: Magnificent Megafauna Adult Helper Guide (for every adult).

How To Use This Guide Use the questions contained within this guide to encourage discussion of key concepts while you explore our collection of megafauna-related displays with your group of students. Please allow approximately 45 minutes additional time for self-guided gallery exploration using Student Activity Sheets and Adult Helper Guide.

Galleries You will visit three galleries. The following icons are used within this document and the Student Activity Sheets to identify which gallery you should be in.

Western Australia: Land and People Hackett Hall, Level 1

Diamonds to Dinosaurs Jubilee Wing, Level 2

Mammals Gallery Jubilee Wing, Level 1

Today you will be encountering some extinct Australian

Western Australia: Land and People Hackett Hall, Level 1 megafauna.

Find these megafauna species and complete their Fact Files. The first one gas been done for you. • Find out what they looked like.

Fact File - Zaglossus Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore Zaglossus hacketti • Investigate how they behaved. I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats Body covering: Tasmanian Devils Dingos Fur Scales Feathers • Discover where they lived. Interesting fact: reme ever! Zaglossus was possibly the largest monot • Explore the possible reasons for their extinction. Fact File - Wonambi Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Body covering: Emus Wombats Look at Zaglossus, with its long snout and spiny body. How can Fur Scales Feathers Tasmanian Devils Dingos Interesting fact: we guess what this animal ate, how it behaved and what its

Fact File - Zygomaturus Scientific name: Diet: habitat was? Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats • The Zaglossus looks a lot like the modern echidna, so we Body covering: Tasmanian Devils Dingos Fur Scales Feathers Interesting fact: could use what we know about the echidna to guess how the

Examine the Fact File for the Zaglossus. Next, allow students to complete the other two Fact Files on their own using the information in the exhibits.

Can you explain how Australian megafauna may have become extinct? See if you can find a sign that gives you some clues. • Climate change would alter the types of plants growing in an area and reduce habitat and food sources. • Humans could hunt animals for food or change their habitat by using fire to clear vegetation. • Many scientists believe that a combination of several factors may be responsible for megafauna extinction.

Take the lift to Level 2, cross the suspended walkway and journey through Diamonds to Dinosaurs until you reach the dinosaur skeletons.

If the Australian megafauna have been extinct for so long, how

Diamonds to Dinosaurs Jubilee Wing, Level 2 do we know that they existed? Where was this mummified body discovered? • Parts of their bodies have been left behind including fossils, non- Why is it so well preserved? fossilised skeletal remains and mummified remains.

Where were the megafauna remains discovered? • As more evidence is found, we build a picture of what these Mark the area on this map with a X. animals looked like and how they behaved.

This almost complete Thylacoleo skeleton was discovered on the Nullarbor Plain. Add the The mummified Thylacine and the Thylacoleo skeleton were rest of the bones that you see in the display. both found on the Nullarbor Plain. Where is the Nullarbor Plain? • The Nullarbor Plain is a flat, almost treeless area of land that stretches for about 1000 km between Western Australia and South Australia. Null = no; Arbor = trees.

Western Australian Museum Student Activity Sheets: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au 17 © 2010 Why are these remains so well preserved? • They were found in caves which protected them from the elements (like rain), as well as scavengers. • At this point students may realise that the Thylacine (also known as the Tasmanian Tiger) was once discovered in mainland Australia, although many associate it with only living in Tasmania. This information will be explored further in the Mammal Gallery downstairs.

Allow time for students to complete the Fact Files in their booklet.

Diamonds to Dinosaurs Jubilee Wing, Level 2 Find these animals and complete their Fact Files: What are the main differences between the Diprotodon model

Fact File - Moa Scientific name: Diet: Carnivore and the fossil that lies beneath it? Herbivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats • The fossil is very old, darker in colour, more chipped and broken Body covering: Tasmanian Devils Dingos Fur Scales Feathers Interesting fact: and some bones are missing.

Fact File - Simosthenurus Scientific name: Diet: • The model has been cast from real fossils and displayed as the Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird skeleton would have been if the animal were alive. Koalas Pythons Body covering: Emus Wombats Fur Scales Feathers Tasmanian Devils Dingos Interesting fact:

Fact File - Diprotodon Scientists have to guess what colour extinct animals were. What Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: colour do you think Diprotodon’s fur was? Why? Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats Body covering: Tasmanian Devils Dingos Fur Scales Feathers • Scientists can guess what colours and patterns extinct animals Interesting fact: might have had by comparing them to modern animals. Western Australian Museum Student Activity Sheets: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au 18 © 2010 • Ask to the children to consider where did it lived, whether it would it want to stand out or blend in, and which modern

Diamonds to Dinosaurs Australian animal it might be related to. Jubilee Wing, Level 2

Scientists and other experts are able to study an animal’s remains to figure out what it may have looked like when it was alive. Draw lines from the labels to the correct body parts on the Diprotodon model and the fossilised skeleton. Leave Diamonds to Dinosaurs through the exit opposite the Thylacine display, and walk downstairs, entering the Mammal Gallery.

Pelvis Vertebra Ribs Jaw Toes

Were all of the bones from the same animal?

What is a mammal? Can you think of some examples?

Mammal Gallery Jubilee Wing, Level 1 • Mammals are a group of vertebrates (animals with backbones) Find the Thylacine and Tasmanian Devil and complete their Fact File. Compare their features. which have fur or hair, usually give birth to live young and suckle

Fact File – Thylacine their young with milk. Classification: Marsupial Placental Monotreme Status: Extinct Threatened Common Reasons for extinction, or threats: Human hunting Competition with dingo • Mammals are divided into the three groups: Habitat loss Disease Diet Skull/jaw: Large and robust Light and slender Eyes: Forward facing Side of head Does it have sharp teeth and claws? Yes No – placentals: like humans, dogs, cats, rats and cows. Pattern: Dark Light Stripes No stripes Diet: Carnivore Herbivore Ominvore Insectivore – marsupials: usually have a pouch (numbats don’t have pouch!), short gestation, undeveloped young, animals like kangaroos Fact File – Tasmanian Devil al Monotreme Classification: Marsupial Placent Status: Extinct Threatened Common and koalas. Reasons for extinction, or threats: o Human hunting Competition with ding Habitat loss Disease Diet d slender Skull/jaw: Large and robust Light an – monotremes: mammals that lay eggs like echidna and Eyes: Forward facing Side of head Does it have sharp teeth and claws? Yes No Pattern: Dark Light Stripes No stripes tivore platypus. Diet: Carnivore Herbivore Ominvore Insec

Western Australian Museum How can modern animals help us to understand more Student Activity Sheets: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au 20 © 2010 about megafauna? • We can study the features of modern animals to help us to understand more about their extinct relatives that share similar features.

When and why did the Thylacine become extinct in mainland Australia? When and why did it become extinct in Tasmania? • Read the information panel with students and discuss. • We know a lot about the Thylacine because it only became extinct in recent times. We have many pictures, film footage and stories about what this animal looked like and how it behaved.

What modern animal does the Thylacine look like? • Although it resembles a dog or a dingo, the Thylacine is a marsupial (pouched mammal) and is therefore more closely related to a kangaroo or a koala!

4 - 7 Middle Childhood

Fossil Forensics: Magnificent Megafauna Student Activity Sheet

Photocopy Fossil Forensics: Magnificent Megafauna Student Activity Sheets (for every student).

How to use Student Activity Sheets Use the questions contained within the Adult Helper Guide to encourage discussion while students use their Student Activity sheets.

Galleries You will visit three galleries. The following icons are used within this document and the Student Activity sheets to identify which gallery you should be in.

Western Australia: Land and People Hackett Hall, Level 1

Diamonds to Dinosaurs Jubilee Wing, Level 2

Mammals Gallery Jubilee Wing, Level 1

Student Activity

Fossil Forensics: Magnificent Megafauna

Investigate our Museum’s extinct megafauna.

www.museum.wa.gov.au 15 Western Australia: Land and People Hackett Hall, Level 1

Find these megafauna species and complete their Fact Files. The first one gas been done for you.

Fact File - Zaglossus Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore Zaglossus hacketti I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats Tasmanian Devils Body covering: Dingos Fur Scales Feathers Interesting fact: Zaglossus was possibly the largest monotreme ever!

Fact File - Wonambi Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Body covering: Wombats Tasmanian Devils Fur Scales Feathers Dingos Interesting fact:

Fact File - Zygomaturus Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats Tasmanian Devils Body covering: Dingos Fur Scales Feathers Interesting fact:

Where was this mummified body discovered?

Why is it so well preserved?

Where were the megafauna remains discovered? Mark the area on this map with a X.

This almost complete Thylacoleo skeleton was discovered on the Nullarbor Plain. Add the rest of the bones that you see in the display.

Find these animals and complete their Fact Files:

Fact File - Moa Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats Tasmanian Devils Body covering: Dingos Fur Scales Feathers Interesting fact:

Fact File - Simosthenurus Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Body covering: Wombats Tasmanian Devils Fur Scales Feathers Dingos Interesting fact:

Fact File - Diprotodon Scientific name: Diet: Herbivore Carnivore I can be compared to: Classification: Kangaroos Echidnas Mammal Reptile Bird Koalas Pythons Emus Wombats Tasmanian Devils Body covering: Dingos Fur Scales Feathers Interesting fact:

Pelvis Vertebra Ribs Jaw Toes

Were all of the bones from the same animal?

Find the Thylacine and Tasmanian Devil and complete their Fact Files. Compare their features.

Fact File – Thylacine Classification: Marsupial Placental Monotreme Status: Extinct Threatened Common Reasons for extinction, or threats: Human hunting Competition with dingo Habitat loss Disease Diet Skull/jaw: Large and robust Light and slender Eyes: Forward facing Side of head Does it have sharp teeth and claws? Yes No Pattern: Dark Light Stripes No stripes Diet: Carnivore Herbivore Ominvore Insectivore

Fact File – Tasmanian Devil Classification: Marsupial Placental Monotreme Status: Extinct Threatened Common Reasons for extinction, or threats: Human hunting Competition with dingo Habitat loss Disease Diet Skull/jaw: Large and robust Light and slender Eyes: Forward facing Side of head Does it have sharp teeth and claws? Yes No Pattern: Dark Light Stripes No stripes Diet: Carnivore Herbivore Ominvore Insectivore