Natural Selection and Clipbirds Activities

Natural Selection Activity
Materials:
Shredded paper in 3 colors
Large rectangular bins
Pipe cleaners cut into 1"-1 1/2" pieces, 3 different colors
Magnetic stick
Dixie cups

During this activity, we learned about the process of natural selection by becoming predators searching for prey in different "habitats". We also learned about heritable traits and traits that are able to mutate to fit best for survival. We, the participants, posed as predators seeking out "prey" (Pipe Cleaner pieces) in their "habitat" (Shredded paper in the bins). We were separated into 3 groups, each starting with a different colored habitat but the same number of each color of pipe cleaner pieces. Out of each group, one student was the predator, one was the counter/mixer, and one was the timer. The predator sought out the prey in the habitat, the counter/mixer counted out the appropriate number of prey and mixed them into the habitat, and the timer kept count of how long the predator had to hunt (20 seconds). Once the predator had found a prey, it went into their "stomach" (Dixie cup) to be counted later. At the end of the hunt, the consumed prey were counted to see how many were left to  reproduce to repopulate the habitat.

Figure 1. Purple/Mixed Habitat

Figure 2. Green Habitat

Figure 3. Yellow Habitat

Clipbirds Activity
Materials:
Unpopped corn kernels
Raw lima beans
Marbles
Binder clips in large, medium, and small
Plastic cups

In the clipbirds activity, we learned about the process of natural selection by attempting to "eat" enough to survive and reproduce. Before the activity could begin, we were separated into two groups of clipbirds, separated by a mountain range and no longer had contact with each other. Within each group, two clipbirds had large "beaks" (Binder Clips), 2 had medium, and two had small. "Food" (Corn kernels, lima beans, and marbles) were spread out on a flat surface, and "stomachs" (Cups) were distributed. To survive, we had to pick up the "food" with our "beaks" and place it in our "stomachs". We were not allowed to scoop the food into our cups, we had to pick them up and place them in the cups. We had 40 seconds to pick up as much food as we could and then we would count it to see if we survived. If you did survive, you had the opportunity to reproduce but only if you picked up enough food. If you picked up enough to reproduce, you picked another classmate to rejoin the activity if they had died and they would have the same beak size as you if they didn't already. The activity is repeated two more times for a total of 3 rounds and each round had a new batch of food.

West Clipland

	1st Season	2nd Season	3rd Season	4th Season
Bigbill	3	1	0	0
Mediumbill	3	2	2	1+1=2
Smallbill	4	3	4	5+2=7

East Clipland

	1st Season	2nd Season	3rd Season	4th Season
Bigbill	3	3	3	5+4=9
Mediumbill	3	0	0	0
Smallbill	4	2	2	0

These activities demonstrated natural selection and adaptations by having us participate as the predator and the prey to understand both sides. As prey, we learned that certain adaptations, such as beak size, make it easier for other organisms to survive, leaving others to struggle to eat. As predators, we learned that prey in certain habitats have adaptations that help them blend in and not be seen, while others may stick out and will be more susceptible to predators and natural selection.

In terms of Biological Evolution, where the traits being changed over time are 1) heritable-or transferable between parent to offspring, and 2) that they are able to mutate- or to change even slightly from one state to another, we clearly saw that in the clipbirds and the natural selection activities as prey had to adapt to survive, blending colors multiplied more as they were harder to catch, and certain beaks continued to survive while the rest died as they could eat more.

Cryptic Coloration is a type of adaptation in which an organisms color will eventually change to suit the environment better and will help them blend in so as to avoid predators. This in turn causes competition between the different colored organisms of the same species as they're fighting for shelter to hide from predators, and eventually, competition will decrease as conflicting colored organisms die off and all that are left are those that blend in to the environment.

I learned a lot through these activities and I loved that they were simple enough to use in a young classroom. I will absolutely use these with my students as they're perfect examples of natural selection, competition, and adaptations to environment.

Kitti's Hog-Nosed Bat

Kitti's Hog-Nosed Bat, otherwise known as the bumblebee bat, is the smallest species of bat and is also one of the smallest mammals in the world. This bat actually weighs, on average, less than 1/4 of an ounce and usually measures in at an inch in length. Appearance wise, it has rather large ears and long wings when compared to the rest of it's body, and does actually have a tail, but its a bit difficult to see since the mammal is so small, so a lot of people don't notice that its there. It is native to Western Thailand, Southeast Burma, and Southern Myanmar in forest areas and in limestone caves along the river.



Most bat species are black, but the bumblebee bat is usually red or gray in coloring, and as the name suggests, its nose is shaped just like a hog's. It gained its nickname as the bumblebee bat as its body dimensions made scientists wonder how it is able to fly, however, it's been decided that the extra webbing between the hind legs allows it to soar through the air and maintain movement control at the same time.

In spite of their diminutive stature, the Hog-nosed bats have incredibly strong legs and claws. Their toes can curl, giving them the ability to grip when roosting. Like any other species of bat, they use echolocation to help them navigate.

These bats feed mostly on insects and spiders, but what's interesting is that they don't stop to eat. Instead, they feed while they move through the air, either holding their prey in their mouth or with their tail until they can stop to feed.

This bat species is currently endangered, as their cave and
forest habitats are being disturbed by tourists and locals. There are about 2,000 left in the world. Some of these unique bats have been placed in Sai Yok National Park in Thailand, offering some protection. A conservation Action Plan was created in 2001, and actions were recommended for the conservation of the species, including providing incentives to locals to maintain their habitats, and identifying, monitoring, and protecting key cave roosts.



I have never been comfortable with bats and I chose this animal because I thought that it would assuage my fears a bit and I was right. After I started reading about the bumblebee bat, I was a lot less afraid and now I actually want to see one just to see how really small they are. I think this would be a great animal for students to learn about because they have so many interesting characteristics that make them completely unique.