TEKS & Objectives
7.1. Organisms and environments. The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment. The student is expected to:
7.10.A observe and describe how different environments, including microhabitats in schoolyards and biomes, support different varieties of organisms;
We will examine how invasive species disrupt the balance of their adopted habitats.
I will identify invasive species of Texas.
1. Watch videos.
2. Review vocabulary.
Native Species This is a type of animal that is found in a certain ecosystem naturally, and was not brought there. It contributes to the balance of its ecosystem.
Gray Squirrel in its natural habitat
Nonnative Species This is a type of animal that was removed from its natural ecosystem and introduced to a new one. It may or may not be successful in its new habitat.
Brown tree snake, Guam
Invasive Species This is a nonnative species that negatively alters its new ecosystem by outcompeting or displacing native species.
Feral hogs, Texas
Exotic Pets These are nontraditional pets, or anything other than dogs, cats, fish and horses. They are considered wild animals, as they have all of their natural instincts. They are often brought from far away and can escape or be released into the wild, where they may become an invasive species.
Green iguanas, Florida
3. Check out a few species invading Texas.
4. Make a wanted poster for a species invading Texas.
Remember, invasive species can:
- take over habitat,
- cause native species to go extinct
- reduce biodiversity
- take limited resources away from native species
Here are some suspects…
Name: Nutria
Where they came from: South America
Where they are now: Texas swamps, ponds and marshes.
_____________________________________________________________________
Name: Red Fire Ants
Where they came from: Brazil
Where they are now: Texas
_____________________________________________________________________
Name: Black Tiger Shrimp
Where they came from: Asian and Australian waters
Where they are now: Gulf of Mexico (Texas)
_____________________________________________________________________
Name: Hydrilla (an aquatic plant)
Where they came from: Sri Lanka, Korea
Where they are now: Gulf of Mexico (They change the chemistry of water, making it harder for other plants and animals to live there)
_______________________________________________________________________
Name: Feral hogs
Where they came from: Europe, Asia
Where they are now: All over Texas
_______________________________________________________________________
Name: Zebra mussels
Where they came from: Europe, Asia
Where they are now: Texas lakes
Design a wanted poster for one of the animals above or color one for wild boars.
Speaking of invasive species…
5. “Invasive Species”
Classroom Resources:
- Wanted poster blank
- Wanted poster coloring page
- Visual vocabulary
- Blank vocabulary sheet
- Fill-in-the-blank vocabulary