Exhibits
Lizards & Snakes: Alive!
On exhibit February 17 - April 27, Free with Exhibit Halls admission
Squamates -- legged and legless lizards, including snakes -- are among the most successful vertebrates on Earth. Found everywhere but the coldest and highest places on the planet, 8,000 species make squamates more diverse than mammals. Remarkable adaptations in behavior, shape, movement, and feeding contribute to the success of this huge and ancient group. Visit this living exhibit to see more than 60 scaled reptiles from around the world.
For a comprehensive field trip guide, follow the link below to download the educator's guide. Reviewing the guide can help you plan your visit ahead of time. Give students directions and supplies before you arrive, since it can be hard to do so once at the Museum. Among the tools you can give them is the field journal worksheet, also available here for download.
In addition, follow the link below to the American Museum of Natural History's extensive website for a wealth of information specifically tied to this exhibit. Once on the site, click on "Educator's Guide" to find more teacher resources, including a glossary of terms and a reference list. Visit the "Squamate Studio" for hands-on activities, and hear the wide variety of rattles, hisses, and more in "Lizard Sounds."
This exhibition is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta and the San Diego Natural History Museum, with appreciation to Clyde Peeling's Reptiland.
Photo of veiled chameleon © D. Finnin/AMNH.
| Format | Temporary Exhibit |
| Grades | K – 12 |
| Source/Publisher | n/a |
| Location | Nichols Gallery — Museum of Science, Boston |
| Website | n/a |
| Educator Guide | MOS_Lizards_Ed_guide.pdf |
| Documents | MOS_Lizards_worksheets.pdf |
| Related Links | Visit the AMNH's website for this exhibit |
Lizards & Snakes: Alive!
+ View Detailed Standard Connections
Primary Connections:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Life Science (Biology) > Adaptations of Living Things (Grade: 3 – 5)
- Life Science (Biology) > Adaptations of Living Things (Grade: 3 – 5)
- Biology > Evolution and Biodiversity (Grade: 9 – 10)
- Life Science (Biology) > Evolution and Biodiversity (Grade: 6 – 8)
- Inquiry and Experimentation > Skills of Inquiry (Grade: K – 2)
- Life Science (Biology) > Characteristics of Living Things (Grade: K – 2)
Secondary Connections:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Biology > Ecology (Grade: 9 – 10)
- Biology > Ecology (Grade: 9 – 10)
- Life Science (Biology) > Changes in Ecosystems Over Time (Grade: 6 – 8)
– View Concise Standard Connections
Primary Connections:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Life Science (Biology) > 06 Adaptations of Living Things (Grade: 3 – 5)
Give examples of how inherited characteristics may change over time as adaptations to changes in the environment that enable organisms to survive, e.g., shape of beak or feet, placement of eyes on head, length of neck, shape of teeth, color. - Life Science (Biology) > 08 Adaptations of Living Things (Grade: 3 – 5)
Describe how organisms meet some of their needs in an environment by using behaviors (patterns of activities) in response to information (stimuli) received from the environment. Recognize that some animal behaviors are instinctive (e.g., turtles burying their eggs), and others are learned (e.g., humans building fires for warmth, chimpanzees learning how to use tools). - Biology > 5.0 Evolution and Biodiversity (Grade: 9 – 10)
Broad Concept: Evolution and biodiversity are the result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing environments. - Life Science (Biology) > 10 Evolution and Biodiversity (Grade: 6 – 8)
Give examples of ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and the diversity of organisms. - Inquiry and Experimentation > Skills of Inquiry (Grade: K – 2)
Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment. - Life Science (Biology) > 01 Characteristics of Living Things (Grade: K – 2)
Recognize that animals (including humans) and plants are living things that grow, reproduce, and need food, air, and water.
Secondary Connections:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Biology > 6.5 Ecology (Grade: 9 – 10)
Explain how symbiotic behavior produces interactions within ecosystems. - Biology > 6.0 Ecology (Grade: 9 – 10)
Broad Concept: Ecology is the interaction between living organisms and their environment. - Life Science (Biology) > 18 Changes in Ecosystems Over Time (Grade: 6 – 8)
Recognize that biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations.
Lizards & Snakes: Alive!
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Lizards & Snakes: Alive!
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Lizards & Snakes: Alive!
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