Child with Boa Constrictor

As a fun and interactive way to expand upon their animal adaptations unit, Sylvan Avenue Elementary fifth graders were visited by Ranger Eric Powers from the Center for Environmental Education and Discovery in Brookhaven and some exciting wildlife.

With the help of Ranger Eric, students met several animals, including a dove, bearded dragon, tegu, Russian tortoise, chinchillas and both a young and adult boa constrictor. Students learned interesting facts about each creature such as that the tegu has a three-dimensional sense of smell and can therefore smell directionally. They learned the difference between a turtle and tortoise, where chinchillas typically live and how all these animals adapt to their environments.

Students not only got to learn about each animal, but they also got to feel each one’s fur, feathers or scales as they were walked around the room.

Students viewing reptileStudents learning about reptileStudents learning about reptileMan and a tortiseMan and a tortiseMan and a tortiseStudents examine tortiseStudents examin chinchillaStudent with snakeman with snake