Reptile Distribution
in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (SRBOPPNCA) And Bruneau Resource Area (BRA) Of Southwest Idaho
activity exercisesuggested grade levels: 9-12
view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson

Overview:
Some species of animals are adapted for particular areas while they are not adapted to live in for others. Habitat, food, mobility, and resources limit how far the range of a species can extend. Sometimes it is helpful to know where a species was found in order to identify it. In this exercise students will become familiar with the concepts and applications of species distribution. The SRBOPNCA and BRA are located South of Boise along the Snake River.

Objectives:
1. Students will learn how to use the Digital Atlas of Idaho.
2. Students will become familiar with the concepts and applications of species distribution.

Procedure:
Expose your students to the reptile section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho. To get there: Click on Atlas Home, mouse-over Biology, then click on Reptiles. Have your students use the reptile checklist and click on the species of snakes and lizards. Students will then scroll down and click on the distribution of the species to see a map of where the species occurs. They will then decide which species of snakes and lizards occur on the SRBOPNCA and BRA.:

You were recently hired as the naturalist for the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (SRBOPNCA) and the Bruneau Resource Area (BRA), which are adjacent to each other (see the image: SRBOPNCA is the darker and smaller portion on the north of the Snake River, the BRA is the larger and lighter colored area to the south of the Snake River). One of the first things you want to do is become familiar with the animals that occur in your area. Start by creating a list of snake and lizard species that occur within the SRBOPNCA and BRA. Use the reptile pages of the Digital Atlas of Idaho to create your list of snakes and lizards known to occur here.

Handouts/Activity links:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
Reptiles

Related Lesson Topics:
Biology: Reptiles
Biology: Biology Topics

Lesson Plan by Steve Burton, James Scannell and Stefan Sommer, 2001
Idaho Achievement Standards (as of 7/2001) met by completing this activity:
355.02