U4L1 SS/SC Connection

Why do scientists believe the first tails evolved?

• To help animals climb trees

• To help animals move through water

• To help animals fly

• To help animals balance

What is a prehensile tail used for?

• Flying

• Propelling forward

• Grabbing and holding

• Swatting insects

Which monkeys have prehensile tails?

• Monkeys from Asia

• Monkeys from Africa

• Monkeys from Central and South America

• All monkeys

How do bird tails help them in flight?

• They help birds climb trees.

• They create stability and help with lift and turning.

• They help birds swim.

• They make birds run faster.

What do grazing animals like horses and zebras use their tails for?

• To warn predators

• To swat insects

• To dig for food

• To keep balance

How do kangaroos use their tails?

• To scare predators

• Like a fifth leg to help them walk

• To climb trees

• To communicate

What do ground squirrels do when they see a snake?

• They wave their tails side to side

• They hide underground

• They run away immediately

• They climb a tree

What might the ground squirrel’s tail-waving signal mean?

• The squirrel is scared.

• The squirrel is attacking.

• The squirrel sees the snake and knows its hiding place.

• The squirrel is trying to make friends with the snake.

What is one job tails can have for animals?

• Helping with balance

• Building nests

• Scaring other animals

• Eating food

Why don’t all animals have tails today?

• All animals do have tails.

• Some animals lost tails as they evolved.

• Some animals didn’t need tails to find food.

• Tails didn’t help animals survive in the wild.