Life Science
Project
Design Your Own Super Species!
If you could create the ultimate species, what would it
look like and how would its physical traits help it to survive?
You will draw a picture of an imaginary hybrid animal that could never actually happen in
real life, but wouldn’t it be cool if it could? You should carefully select certain physical
(structural) traits from multiple animal species in order to create a super species that is
well adapted to your imaginary environment. Note: This is a made up situation.
Requirements:
1. Create your ultimate super species out of no more than THREE animal species.
2. Research 3 different animals. Record the following for each animal:
o
Describe the animal’s habitat. (3 to 5 sentences in essay)
o
Describe the animal’s diet and how it obtains its food. (3 to 5 sentences in
essay)
o
Describe the animal’s physical characteristics. (4 to 6 sentences in essay)
o
Describe the animal’s defenses or natural weapons it possesses. (2 to 3
sentences in essay)
3. Draw and color a picture of your hybrid super-species as neatly as possible. You
could also use a computer to do this using clipart or some neat website such as:
http://www.switcheroozoo.com/field_trip_make_new_animals.htm .
4. Draw, label, and describe how at least FOUR physical traits (adaptations) contribute
to the success of your species. Remember that adaptations are behaviors and
structures that help the organism survive by getting food, moving, and protecting
itself.
5. Give your super species a common and a scientific name.
6. Write a detailed essay describing the following:
a. Paragraph 1-Introduction
b. Paragraph 2- Animal #1-(See #2 above for paragraph details)
c. Paragraph 3-Animal #2
d. Paragraph 4-Animal #3
e. Paragraph 5-New Animal-habitat, its adaptations and how these help it survive
f. Paragraph 6-Conclusion
7. Complete the grading rubric.
An example can be found on the back side of this paper!
“Quackaroo”
(Birdus bizarro)
Quackaroo’s Habitat:
The Quackaroo lives in the wetlands of the Bear River Basin, where they are welladapted for both terrestrial and aquatic life. They eat carp and other fish from the
marshy terrain. It can also eat native plants found within the wetlands. The main predator
of the Quackaroo is the Red-tailed Hawk, but the Quackaroo hides in its shell to protect
itself or jumps away using its strong legs. During the long, cold winter months the
Quackaroo hibernates. Hibernation begins in November when they bury themselves in the
mud. They live on body fat that they stored in their bodies during the fall. In the spring,
when hibernation is over, the Quackaroo mates and the offspring develop in the mother’s
pouch.
These are examples of some adaptations that you could possibly use
for a super species…use these to help you create your own
super species!
Brainstorming

Name of your animal: _____________________________________________

What three animals do you want it to be made up of?
_________________
__________________
_________________
Animal 1: _____________________________ (Fast fact, bullet form please)
Habitat:
Diet:
Physical Characteristics:
Animal’s Defenses:
Animal 2: ______________________________
Habitat:
Diet:
Physical Characteristics
Animal’s Defenses:
Animal 3: _____________________________
Habitat:
Diet:
Physical Characteristics
Animal’s Defenses:

What 4 physical traits are you going to label and describe on your animal?
o ____________________________
o ____________________________
o ____________________________
o ____________________________

What is your new animal’s habitat: _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Animal’s common name :_____________________________________

Animal’s scientific name: ____________________________________
Resources Used: (Bibliography information)
1.
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3.