Sharing Space
What Now?
We’ve created Zoo Tracks to guide your educational
visit to Lincoln Park Zoo, complete with animal descriptions to prompt discussions with your students.
At the Zoo...
All animals have physical adaptations for survival
in their environments. In this installment of Zoo
Tracks– Sharing Space– we’ll learn more about how
different species share habitats by finding the right
niches for their needs.
Finding a niche…
Many different species may share the same
habitat. They are able to share space successfully
because each one occupies its own niche. A niche
combines the physical part of the habitat where
the animal makes its home with the way that animal uses resources and interacts with plants and
other species.
...that’s a perfect match.
Within any habitat you’ll find animals that use
the space differently, each occupying a special
niche. Some animals may prefer different physical parts of the habitat, living high in the trees or
well below ground. For example, a squirrel nest
nestled among branches is safely separated from
the underground den of a red fox.
Others share the same physical space but use
the resources of the habitat differently. For example, two different species of birds may both
live in the tops of the trees, but one may eat fruit
while the other searches for insects.
As you walk around the zoo, look for other exhibits
where more than one species share a space.
Back at Home...
You can find examples of animals using niches
in your own backyard. Try one of these Zoo Tracks
activities in your classroom or neighborhood.
Record what you discover in a science notebook
like a biologist would.
With the help of an adult, look under a log or
large rock. How many different animals are
sharing this physical space?
Find a natural area with many different birds.
Do the birds seem to prefer different areas of
the habitat?
Observe your family pets. Do they have
particular areas in your home they prefer?
Are they active during the same time of day?
Want to Know More?
Lincoln Park Zoo has a host of education
programs that can help you understand our
zoo animals and their counterparts in the wild.
To find out more about what’s coming up, visit
www.lpzoo.org/education
Let’s Make Tracks!
3. Hope B. McCormick Bird House
Visit these exhibit spaces to see how different
animals may share a habitat. Start with #1 and
work your way through the zoo!
4
If an animal is not visible on the day of your
visit, simply add an exhibit of your choice.
3
What parts of the exhibit do each of the birds
seem to prefer?
1. Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House
This building has several
sections. In the last section, you’ll see water habitats and tree tops enabling
several different species
to live together. Look high
and low in order to see
what types of animals make their homes here.
What species do you see high in the trees?
What species do you see living in or near
the water?
2. Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond
Water sources such as
lakes or ponds often bring
many different species
together. All animals need
water to survive, and
sometimes it’s necessary
for many different animals
to share the same water source.
How many different species do you see at
our pond?
Do you see any animals that you think are
just visiting and not permanent residents of
the zoo?
This Zoo Tracks is made possible through a
generous grant by The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund.
Halfway through this
exhibit is an open-air, free
flight area. In this space
you can observe a number
of different species, each
occupying different areas
of the exhibit.
Why do you think each bird selected that part
of the exhibit?
1
Do you see any species sharing the same
physical area of the exhibit? Why do you think
this is possible?
2
4. Regenstein African Journey
There are several exhibits in
this building where different
species share a space. As
you walk through, count the
examples you see of different species living together.
Describe one of the examples you discovered
to a friend.
In the final part of the exhibit, you’ll see a large
habitat of differently colored fish. These fish are
all different species of cichlids.
Which part of the habitat does each fish
species prefer?
Is there more of one species than another?
How do the different species interact with
each other?