Learning about Idaho Mammals
suggested grade levels: 9-12
view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson

Objectives:
1. Students will learn how to use the Digital Atlas of Idaho.
2. Students will be able to describe the basic characteristics and biology of mammals.
3. Students will become very knowledgeable on a mammal species of their choice.
4. Students will give an oral presentation on their selected species.

Procedure:
1. Give students the opportunity to use the Digital Atlas. To get there: Click on Atlas Home, mouse-over Biology, then click on Mammals.
2. Encourage your students to explore the mammal section, read the information, and complete the worksheet below. For a printable pdf copy of the sample handout, click below on 'Handout Sample'.
3. Tell your students to select a mammal. They can choose their own or you can help them so they do not all choose the same species. Students will then use resources including the Digital Atlas to do research on their species. Reports should include information on the taxonomy (order, family, genus, species), range, habitat, diet, ecology, reproduction, and conservation status of their species.
4. Each student will give a short presentation on his or her animal to the class. A map from the Digital Atlas can be used to present range or distribution of a species in Idaho. Click on Atlas Home, then on Idaho Maps. To print a species range map, students can print a map from any mammal species page by clicking on the distribution map and going to file and clicking on print frame.

Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
mam2ho.pdf | mam2AK.pdf | Mammals | Idaho Maps