Advanced Mammal Ecology | (Zoology) (Wildlife)
Class experience
US Grade 8 - 10
Advanced Level
Why study mammals? You are one...but so are bats, pangolins, cheetahs, manatees, and dogs! In this course, students will jump right into the world of mammals (like the golden lion tamarin pictured above) through an introductory exploration of the field of mammalogy. This course is meant to be a challenging but approachable introduction to the study of mammals. I will be there right beside your student (figuratively!) to help them learn. This is a great opportunity to expose your student to...
8 lessons//8 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Introduction to MammalogyWelcome to Advanced Mammal Ecology! In this lesson, we will learn about mammalian characteristics and the three categories of mammals: monotremes, metatherians (marsupials), and eutherians.Week 2Lesson 2Mammalian TaxonomyIn this lesson, we will learn about taxonomy, the study of classifying animals by their genetic relationships. We will start using binomial nomenclature as we discuss eight of the most important mammalian orders.Week 3Lesson 3Feeding and Foraging StrategiesThis lesson is about animal diets, from frugivores (fruit-eaters) to myrmecophagous (ant-eating) animals and everyone in between! We will also discuss how animals find their food and learn about theories of solitary and group foraging.Week 4Lesson 4Adaptations (Morphology, Locomotion, and Anatomy)In this lesson, we will explore the concepts of adaptation, acclimatization, and natural selection, focusing on the various types of adaptations seen in mammals and their trade-offs. We will also look at examples of locomotion adaptations and the fascinating phenomena of mimicry and signaling in animal behavior.Week 5Lesson 5Competition, Migration, and Home RangesIn this lesson, we will explore competition dynamics among animals, such as intraspecific and interspecific competition, dominance hierarchies, and the competitive exclusion principle. We'll also examine migration patterns and territorial behaviors in mammals, including the signals that trigger migration.Week 6Lesson 6Social Behavior Part 1 (Parental Care)In this lesson, we'll discuss parental behaviors in mammals, covering how they care for their offspring and why it's important. We'll explore different types of care, from lactation to paternal and alloparental care, while also touching on survivorship curves and concepts like personal and inclusive fitness.Week 7Lesson 7Social Behavior Part 2 (Mating Systems and Communication)In this lesson, we'll explore socioecology and communication in mammals, covering various forms like verbal, auditory, and non-verbal communication. We'll also examine mammalian social structures, from monogamous to eusocial communities, and discuss concepts such as altruism and reciprocation.Week 8Lesson 8Extinct Animals & ReviewIn this lesson, we'll focus on extinction events and the factors behind them, including mass extinctions, background extinctions, and anthropogenic extinctions caused by human activity. We'll also explore prehistoric extinctions of megafauna and recent extinctions, touching on breeding back efforts, the concept of speciation, and the concept of "Lazarus taxa."
Students will gain an advanced understanding of mammal taxonomy, behavior, adaptations, and ecology.
I am a high school biology, zoology, and environmental science teacher. Before teaching, I conducted mammalogy research in Florida and worked at an aquarium, two major science museums and a primate sanctuary. I love zoology and giving students the chance to expose themselves to more specialized topics.
Homework Offered
Students will be given homework assignments, discussion questions, weekly quizzes, and a final test at the end. I will also provide a fun review game at the end of the unit on Blooket (my high schoolers love it!).1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Feedback will be given on all submitted assignments. If desired, I can provide a formal numerical grade.Grades Offered
Students will automatically have their quiz and test grades returned to them. I provide written feedback on all assignments, but can provide numerical and/or letter grades upon request.
Articles, videos, and other assignments will be provided in the classroom.
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
This course includes (non-graphic, not detailed) discussions of mating, mentions of climate change, and some information on evolution. All topics are covered from a purely scientific point of view. If you are concerned about any of these topics, feel free to message me for more information.
Scroll down for class information, policies, and tuition assistance if you are unable to afford my classes. 🦎ABOUT ME🦑 Hi! I'm Allie. I'm a science teacher from Arkansas and I LOVE animals, zoology, and biology. I teach at Outschool because,...
Self-Paced Class
$10
weekly or $80 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher feedback
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 62 learners
Ages: 13-17