Worried about the "hazardous beasties" in your backyard and beyond? Learn to identify and avoid poison ivy, venomous snakes, black widow spiders, and other potentially hazardous plants and animals in the Houston area. See some of Armand Bayou Nature Center's live reptiles up close and discover how to safely explore alongside nature.
Grades K - 12th
Group Minimum 10
Duration 2 Hours Fee $15.00/participant (children and adults)
Extended Program Duration 2.5-3 hours Fee $20/participant (children and adults)
Objectives
STUDENTS WILL:
Observe reptiles, insects, and other animals up close and in their native habitats.
Identify the major identifying features of many potentially dangerous plants and animals.
Differentiate between poisonous, venomous, and non-venomous species.
Practice safety in nature.
Vocabulary
Hazardous – dangerous
Cold-blooded - not able to regulate its body temperature, except by the external temperature or its environment
Venomous – able to inject venom through a bite or sting (e.g. wasp, rattlesnake)
Non-venomous – not able to inject venom through a bite or sting
Poisonous – contains toxins (poison) that will cause illness or even death if an animal eats or touches it (e.g. poison ivy, death cap mushroom)
Predator - an animal that hunts and eats other animals
Prey - an animal that is hunted and eaten
Habitat - the space where an organism lives and finds food, water, and shelter
Adaptation - a structure (body part) or behavior that helps a plant or animal survive in its environment
Camouflage - coloration or shape that helps an animal blend into its habitat
Mimicry - an adaptation that allows an organism to resemble another organism
