Animals as Loggers

These images show several trees that have been cut down or stripped of their bark due to animal activity.

• Do animals gnaw/chop down trees for food, shelter or both?

• What type of animal is chopping down these trees?
• What type of internal/external organs does the animal use to gnaw/chop the trees?

Students could:

• Complete a notice and wonder chart and discuss the results.
• Brainstorm the internal/external structures the animal might need to chop these trees.
• Write claim/evidence statements pertaining to which internal/external structures the animal used for survival, growth, and behavior.
• Research different organisms that are affected by the loss of these trees.

• PBS LearningMedia | Animals: Beavers: This video provides information on how the beaver changes its environment to suit its needs.
• PBS LearningMedia | Nature: Hardworking Builders: These resources from Nature: Leave it to Beavers explore beavers’ physical characteristics and how they fell trees and build dams.