Evolution of the Horse

Make an inference, by filling in the blanks, as to why the size of the modern day horse evolved.

The modern day horse became taller, wider and more muscular which 

leads scientists to infer that the _______________source increased. The 

modern day horse also became taller as the _________________grew in 

length.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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Compare the neck of the early horse to the modern day horse and make an inference, by filling in the blanks, as to why the neck evolved over time

The early horse was _________________and ________________to the 

ground so it could reach its ________________. As the modern day horse 

grew ________________, it could no longer reach its food. The neck had 

to grow _________________to extend down and reach its 

________________. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which best describes how the legs of the horse evolved over time to the modern day horse’s legs?

•  The legs became shorter and less muscular

• The legs became longer and more muscular

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Compare the legs of the early horse to the modern day horse and make an inference, by filling in the blanks, as to why the legs evolved over time.

The early horse had _____________legs. The early horse could 

_________________from predators due to its ____________size.The legs 

became ________________and more ________________. This 

allows the modern day horse to ________________for protection from 

_____________because it is too big to hide. The longer and 

________________legs also help support the ________________of the 

modern day horse.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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Which best describes how the teeth of the horse evolved over time?

• The early horse had small teeth that later evolved into longer, wider and stronger teeth

• The early horse had no teeth and later evolved to have small teeth.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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Which best describes the size of the early horse?

• Tall, wide with a weight between 900 and 2000 pounds and muscular

• Medium size, similar to a dog.

• Short, thin with an average weight of 20 pounds

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which best describes the size of the modern horse?

• Tall, wide with an average weight between 900 and 2000 pounds and muscular

• Medium size, similar to a dog

• Short, thin with an average weight of 20 pounds

Which best describes the size and position of the eyes of the early horse?

• Eyes were larger and positioned toward the side of the skull

• Eyes were smaller and positioned toward the center of the skull

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which best describes the size and position of the eyes of the modern horse?

• Eyes were larger and positioned toward the side of the skull

• Eyes were smaller and positioned toward the center of the skull

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The process by which populations slowly change over time is called

• selective breeding

• adaptation

• speciation

• evolution

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