April 3-9, 2014, Current Events Lesson Plan
Current Event:
According to a new study by scientists, the purpose of the zebra’s handsome markings is to keep away dangerous biting flies, including horse flies and tsetse flies. The flies can spread sometimes-fatal diseases and cause blood loss in their victims. Some scientists have speculated that the stripes might interfere with the flies’ ability to see. But, that is a question for another study. The zebra’s stripes have long puzzled scientists. Previously, scientists have suggested that the stripes might help zebras tell one another apart, help them to attract mates, camouflage them from hungry carnivores, or keep them cool under the burning African sun. The new study was the first to examine all five of the main explanations for the purpose of the stripes.
Objective:
Zebras are striped member of the horse family. There are three species–the common zebra, Grevy’s zebra, and the mountain zebra. They live in herds in the deserts and savanna of eastern and southern Africa. A zebra has alternating white and black or dark brown stripes. Each of the three species of zebras has a distinctive stripe pattern. In addition, much like fingerprints in human beings, no individual zebra’s stripes are identical to those of another zebra. A zebra herd may range in size from a few individuals to several hundred. The main predators of zebras include lions, hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs. Zebras protect themselves from predators by keeping together in the herd. At least one member of a herd remains alert to danger at all times. If attacked, a zebra usually tries to run away. Zebras can run at speeds of up to 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour. Zebras face an uncertain future in the wild. They must compete with ranchers and farmers for grazing land and scarce water resources. Many zebras have been killed for their meat and their hides. Only the common zebra is still numerous. Both Grevy’s zebra and the mountain zebra are endangered. A fourth kind of zebra, the quagga, became extinct in the late 1800′s. The Behind the Headlines news story and related World Book articles explore zebras and other animals.
Words to know:
Discussion Topics:
1. Zebras are native to Africa. Ask your students to name other animals that live in Africa. (Students might say antelopes, baboons, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, hippopotamuses, hyenas, lions, ostriches, rhinoceroses.)
2. The quagga, a kind of zebra, went extinct in 1883. Ask your students to name other animals that have become extinct in the last 400 years. (Students might say dodos, great auks, Javan tigers, passenger pigeons, Steller’s sea cows, tarpans, Tasmanian tigers. Check out the Animal Extinctions since 1600 timeline for others.)
3. Ask your students to debate, “Humans have the responsibility to protect animals from extinction.”