This page shows questions in the Spiky Land Animals public release module at MSDE. 5th Grade MISA
"Spiky Land Animals"
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A family went to the local zoo and observed two animals from different environments that have spikes all over their bodies. One of the animals lives on land. The family spoke to a zookeeper to obtain more information about this animal. The zookeeper explained that the land animal they observed is called an echidna (ee-KID-nə). The echidna is covered in spikes that are longer than its normal fur, and the spikes are made up of the same material as human fingernails. While the fur of the echidna helps it stay warm, the longer spikes are hard and form a sharp point at the ends. The echidna moves slowly, so when it is threatened, it rolls into a ball or buries itself in a shallow hole so that only its spikes are exposed. The zookeeper showed the family a diagram of the echidna before and after it had rolled into a ball.
The zookeeper then showed them a diagram of the echidna’s life cycle and explained that echidnas are monotremes. Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs.
Echidnas in the wild are most often found in open woodlands or grasslands where they can live up to 45 years. Their pointy noses have the ability to sense electrical signals from insects such as ants and termites. Once they sense the insects underground, they dig with long, sharp claws. Then they pick up the insects with their long tongues and grind them on tooth pads inside their mouths.
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The zookeeper then took the family to the aquarium area to observe an animal that also has spikes but lives in an underwater environment. This animal is called the spotted porcupinefish (POR-kyə-pine-fish). The adult usually has a long spotted body and is about 90 centimeters (cm) long with small fins. The spikes of the adult fish lay flat against its body until it is threatened. When that happens, the spotted porcupinefish inflates its body, causing its spikes to stick out. The spotted porcupinefish can inflate itself up to three times its normal size. The zookeeper showed the family a diagram of a spotted porcupinefish before and after it has inflated.
The zookeeper then showed the family a diagram of the life cycle of the spotted porcupinefish.
The zookeeper explained that the adult spotted porcupinefish can live up to 10 years and is found in underwater caves or around coral reefs where it searches for food sources.
This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select several options.
Which actions are likely to occur due to the ability of the echidna to sense electrical signals?
Select two.
This is a question with 3 parts, including a question with drop-down menus from which you must select an option to fill in the blank.
This is a question with 2 parts, including a question with drop-down menus from which you must select an option to fill in the blank.
This is a question with 2 parts, including a question with drop-down menus from which you must select an option to fill in the blank.
This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select several options.
How would a reduced ability to produce eggs affect both the echidna and the spotted porcupinefish?
Select two.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Use evidence to construct an argument explaining how the spikes of the echidna support survival.