Self-Guided Resources for
Manchester Museum
Vivarium – KS3
(Booking Essential)
This activity allows your students to investigate and find out more about the live animals
that are on display in the Vivarium and to explore the specific adaptations of the reptiles
and amphibians.
The vivarium offers a unique opportunity in a museum to get a close look at a wide
variety of live reptiles and amphibians. Reptiles and amphibians show some of the most
striking adaptations to their environment and this gallery shows many different habitats
which these animals live.
The worksheet attached should be printed off and provided to the students in pairs.
Below is a guide for how the worksheet should be used in a 30 minute activity.
1. Hand out the attached worksheet in pairs with a clipboard and pencil.
2. Challenge your students to complete the worksheet in 15 minutes. Prompt them to
choose specimens that display really clear adaptations to their habitats and to
sketch/draw images in a scientific labelled diagram style of their chosen specimens
to clearly display those features.
3. In small groups (based on the animals chosen), get your students to compare and
contrast what features and adaptations were recorded.
Materials required for activity (not provided):
 Worksheets (worksheet attached to be printed off)
 Pencil/pen
 Clipboard
Post Visit Suggestions:
You could use their chosen specimens to make a display back at school or create a
display about adaptations and habitats. They could research further about one of their
chosen animals as a further task to supplement their visit.
You might like to check out The Museum of Mystery (www.museumofmystery.org.uk). An
interactive online learning resource aimed at KS3/4 which uses the Manchester Museum’s
collections to complete tasks and complete mysteries.
Have you remembered to book your Self Programmed activities with our Bookings Officer on 0161 275 2630? You can
also request to use our lunch room for your group. Risk Assessments are available on the website. Also, please check
for any suggested materials that you may need to bring with you on the day.
Vivarium
Choose 4 different animals from the Vivarium.
For each one, find out the following and draw a quick sketch to show its key features:
Animal 1:
Species name:
Where does it normally live?
What does it eat?
Describe its interesting features and adaptations:
Animal 2:
Species name:
Where does it normally live?
What does it eat?
Describe its interesting features and adaptations:
Animal 3:
Species name:
Where does it normally live?
What does it eat?
Describe its interesting features and adaptations:
Animal 4:
Species name:
Where does it normally live?
What does it eat?
Describe its interesting features and adaptations: