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Comparing Teeth of Carnivores & Herbivores
Objectives
To look at different animals’ teeth and discuss why they are different shapes.
Resources
Plain paper | Internet
Today's Lesson
Main Activity
Access the '📄 Herbivore skulls photo pack' and look at the photos of teeth of the different herbivores. Ask your child to compare them and discuss them. Notice how many herbivores do not have top teeth, but just a hard plate. Point out that it is important for herbivores to constantly chew, in order to grind down their teeth, otherwise they grow too long and can cut the top of the animal’s mouth.
Now ask your child to look at photos of carnivores' teeth (using the '📄 Carnivore skulls photo pack' resource). Notice how many canine teeth are similar to those of a human. The canine teeth are for tearing meat or vegetation off bones or plants. Herbivores do not need to tear their food so much, particularly if they eat grass or leaves. Ask your child to complete the '📄 Comparing animal teeth worksheet', recording their observations of the similarities and differences between the teeth of herbivores and carnivores. It’s good fun to research skulls and decide if the animal was a herbivore or carnivore.
Optional tasks
Omnivores are creatures that eat both meat and plant-based food. The '📄 Omnivore photo pack' resource features the skulls of a selection of omnivores. Ask your child to note similarities and differences between the teeth of omnivores and those of carnivores and herbivores.
As a final review activity, look at the '📊 Comparing animal teeth' PowerPoint file and ask your child to complete the 'Guess the Animal Quiz' from Slide 7.