1. Critter Project Example  By Mrs. Brown

2. Name of organism:  “Desert Anthropax”

3. General Description  Looks similar to a scorpion having a foot- long tail, hard outer shell covering of the body.  About 2 feet in length.  Has 2 antennae

4. Environment:  Desert  Very dry with rare periods of hard rain & storms  Very hot during the daytime (over 100 degrees F) and cold at night (30-40 degrees F)  Some shrubs, cacti and small plants.

5. Environmental Pressures  Must withstand extremes in temperatures  Must be able to go long periods without water  Must be able to find shelter from the sun.

6. Natural Predators:  Birds  Lizards  Mice  Opposums

7. Adaptations:  A. Movement – senses vibrations & crawls using small claws  B. Physical – exoskeleton that keeps water inside body  C. Behavior – able to curl around itself to keep warm or stretch out to cool; seeks shade from sun.  D. Coloration – same color as sand

8. Adaptations (con’t.)  E. Reproduction – only during times when water is available & temperatures are not extreme.  F. Chemicals – produces a paste-like waste product to conserve water

9. References:  http://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/lo ng-fact-sheets/Bark%20Scorp.php http://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/lo ng-fact-sheets/Bark%20Scorp.php  http://www.scorpionworlds.com/ http://www.scorpionworlds.com/  http://www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scor pion.html http://www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scor pion.html