Zoology for Kids. Understanding and Working with Animals, with 21 Activities

178 Pages·2015·7.39 MB·English

by  Josh Hestermann

© 2015 by Josh Hestermann and Bethanie Hestermann Foreword © 2015 by Martin Kratt and Chris Kratt
All rights reserved
First edition
Published by Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
ISBN 978-1-61374-961-6
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hestermann, Josh, 1983– Zoology for kids : understanding and working with animals : with 21 activities /
Josh and Bethanie Hestermann. — First edition.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Audience: Ages 9 and up.
ISBN 978-1-61374-961-6
1. Zoology—Juvenile literature. 2. Zoology—Study and teaching—Activity programs. 3. Zoology—
Vocational guidance—Juvenile literature.
I. Hestermann, Bethanie, 1986-II. Title.
QL49.H54 2015
590—dc23
2014042745
Cover and interior design: Sarah Olson Cover images: (front cover top, left to right) penguin exhibit,
courtesy of ZSL London Zoo; koala, courtesy of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo / Dave Parkinson; clownfish and
an angelfish, © istock.com 101cats; bottle feeding a baby addax antelope, courtesy of Chicago Zoological
Society Jim Schulz; pygmy marmoset, © istock.com GlobalP; (front cover bottom, left to right) zebra, courtesy
of Mark Gonka; boy with salamander, © istock.com MissHibiscus; butterfly, courtesy of Chicago Zoological
Society Jim Schulz; polar bear exhibit, courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society Jim Schulz; (back cover, left to
right) poison dart frog, courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society Jim Schulz; western lowland gorilla, courtesy
of ZSL London Zoo; bird of paradise, courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo Dennis Dow Activity illustrations: Jim
Spence Printed in the United States of America
5 4 3 2 1
In loving memory of Sheren Clements.
photo: authors’ collection
Contents
Foreword by the Kratt Brothers
Authors’ Notes
Time Line
Introduction: What is Zoology?
Part 1
ZOOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS
1 Animals—Form and Function
Bake an Edible Animal Cell
Dig Up “Animal Bones”
Play the Dolphin Echolocation Game
Explore Concealing Coloration
2 Understanding Animal Behavior
Test Your Sense of Direction
Demonstrate a Butterfly’s Life Cycle
Communicate Like a Deep-Sea Animal
3 Animals and Their Environments
Eat a Bat Fruit Salad
Construct a Food Chain
Part 2
WORKING ON THE WILD SIDE-ZOOLOGY IN REAL LIFE
4 Zookeepers, Aquarists, and Other Zoo Crew
Create Behavioral Enrichment
Train Your Friends
Plan and Draw an Exhibit
5 Call the Doctor! Veterinarians
Mold Tiger Teeth
Vital Signs, Part 1: Build a Stethoscope
Vital Signs, Part 2: Take Your Vitals
6 Wildlife Researchers
Conduct an Experiment: Keeping Warm
Backyard Zoology: Perform Field Research
Invent a New Species
7 Conservation Warriors
Survive Habitat Loss: The Resource Game
Make an Endangered Species Flyer
Interview a Zoologist
Acknowledgments
Glossary
Resources
Selected Bibliography
Index
Courtesy of the Kratt Brothers
FOREWORD
C
alling all creature-crazy kids!
There’s so much to learn about animals, and this book, Zoology for Kids,
is a great way for you and all of your animal-loving friends to jump right into the
world of zoology.
Animals are all around us, and that means that the science of zoology is right
there for you to study—any day and any time you see an animal! Ever since we
were kids, we’ve been fascinated by cool creatures, and we started creature
adventuring in our very own backyard. Today, we spend our time traveling the
world, learning more about our fellow creatures, and sharing what we learn with
kids just like you. We hope you get started on your own personal study of
zoology by trying the fun and eye-opening activities in this book.
Use Zoology for Kids as a resource to learn as much as you can, then share
what you’ve learned with all your friends. Follow your dreams and soon enough,
you’ll be having creature adventures around your neighborhood today—and
around the world tomorrow!
Keep on creature adventuring, and we’ll see you on the creature trail!
Your friends,
MARTIN KRATT AND CHRIS KRATT
Creators and stars of Zoboomafoo and Wild Kratts
AUTHORS’ NOTES
M
y journey as a zoologist began when I was just 11 years old. At the time, I
didn’t even know what a zoologist was! I remember taking a trip across
the country from my home state of Arizona to the Midwest to visit Chicago’s
Brookfield Zoo. It was during this trip that I first told my mom I wanted to work
with animals when I grew up. I never gave up on that dream.
Pursuing a career as a zoologist is hard work! There are lots of people who
love animals and want to make a career out of working with them. It was thanks
to several years of dedication and support from my family and friends that I
“made it.” I’ve worked with some wonderful animals along the way—from
giraffe, wallabies, and lemurs to parrots, alligators, and pythons. I even had the
privilege of working at Brookfield Zoo, the very same place I visited when I was
just 11 years old. While there, I helped take care of bottlenose dolphins, gray
seals, harbor seals, and my favorite animals—California sea lions. Today, I get to
go to work every day at the Aquarium of the Pacific, where I take care of sea
lions, harbor seals, sea otters, penguins, and other species.
Over the years I’ve also worked with hundreds of talented zoologists who
love animals, just like me. Every day, kids like you come up to me and ask what it
takes to be a zoologist. I can’t help but smile and remember it wasn’t so long ago
that I was in your shoes. My wife, Bethanie, and I decided to write this book
because we think there is so much beauty in the world and it’s important to
understand, respect, appreciate, and enjoy it. Since we also share a love for
education and learning, we put our heads together to create Zoology for Kids.
As you read this book, we hope it helps you feel more connected with the
animal kingdom. You will learn the ins and outs of zoology, but most of all, you
will learn what you can do to be part of this community—a community that
works every day to preserve and protect this amazing world we call home.
—JOSH HESTERMANN, coauthor
G
rowing up in my family meant hiking through deserts and canyons,
pitching a tent and camping high up in the mountains, and even riding
waves on the California coast. When I was outside, I felt happy and free. I didn’t
know it then, but my appreciation for the natural world was the beginning of my
journey as a zoologist.
Then, I married a zookeeper. Josh’s love for animals and my love for natural
places went together like a fruit bat and a fig tree. (Don’t get that comparison
yet? You will!) In other words, we made a good team. Together, we more fully
began to understand the unique and complicated relationship humans have with
the other animals that share Planet Earth.
As a writer, I am living proof that no matter what your talents are, you can
find a way to participate in and contribute to the zoology community. Through
Zoology for Kids, Josh and I hope to not only encourage your curious mind but to
inspire you to go for it—whatever “it” is for you. Whether you’re a budding
scientist, an amateur photographer, or a young poet, use your strengths to
showcase what you love, to educate others, and to make a difference.
—BETHANIE HESTERMANN, coauthor