"Animal Behaviors: Animal Defenses"

Read “Shells” on pages 46–49 of Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses by Christina Wilsdon and answer the questions below.

Definition:

· Scutes: Tough scales that are found in the skin of reptiles and the shells of most turtles and tortoises

1. Part A: How does the box turtle use its shell to protect itself?

• It uses the lower section of its shell to close the opening in its shell.

• It pulls its head into the shell and folds its legs in front to form a shield.

• It seals the shell’s opening with a hard plate on the end of the foot.

• It rolls up into an armor-plated ball.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

Part B: Which detail from the text supports the answer in Part A on how the box turtle uses its shell to protect itself?

• “Box turtles have hinged plastrons …”

• “A turtle can stay inside its shell for hours, waiting for a predator to give up.”

• “… pulls its head and its muscular foot inside the shell.”

• “… have shells made of eight plates.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

According to the text, why is it important that animals like turtles, tortoises, snails, and clams have shells?

• They spend much or all of their lives in water.

• The shell is basically a sturdy box made of bone and includes the animal’s spine and ribs.

• They can burrow to hide from predators or roll up into a ball.

• The animals can tuck their soft bodies into their shells faster than they can move away from the predator.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

1. Part A: Read the sentence from Paragraph 1 of “Shells.”

A sturdy shell is the primary defense for a variety of very slow-moving animals, such as turtles, tortoises, snails, and clams.

What is the meaning of the word “variety” as it is used in the sentence?

• similar

• species

• assortment

• few

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Which detail from the text helps the reader understand the meaning of “variety”?

• “… such as turtles, tortoises, snails, and clams.”

• “These bones include the turtle’s spine and ribs.”

• “Some turtles have just a few scutes embedded in a thick skin on the carapace.”

• “Many bivalves burrow deeply in sand or mud to stay hidden from predators, such as seabirds.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

1. What is the meaning of the word “tough” as it is used in Paragraph 4 of “Shells”?

• tough: able to put up with trouble or hardship

• tough: difficult to do or understand

• tough: not easily influenced

• tough: hard to break; strong; lasting a long time

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Which detail from the text helps the reader understand the meaning of “tough”?

• “Both have shells made of two parts: an upper section called the carapace and a lower section called the plastron.”

• “… the same substance that forms hooves and fingernails.”

• “Some turtles have just a few scutes embedded in a thick skin on the carapace.”

• “It hangs on tightly enough to prevent being washed away by waves.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Check ALL of the examples of how shells protect animals.

• Many turtles can pull their heads, tails, and legs partly or fully into their shells.

• Limpets seal the shell’s opening with a hard plate at the end of their foot and use the foot like a suction cup to help grip rocks firmly.

• Some mollusks can partly or fully close their shell around their body.

• Sea turtles have lightweight shells so they can swim away from predators quickly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

What was the main idea of the text, "Shells"? Give 1 supporting text evidence.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.6.2