Lesson plan based on Mosaic Floor
Research and discuss the natural habitats and various evolutionary theories of giraffes and other animals imported into ancient Rome.
Skills and Focus: Earth Sciences, Biology
Subject Area: Science
Thematic Connection: Animals, Geography
Grade Level: Secondary School
Time Needed: 90 minutes
Objectives
• Understand the natural habitat of giraffes and the relationship of habitat to evolution.
• Discuss the merits and flaws of Roman, Lemarckian, and Darwinian models of giraffe development.
Instructional Materials Needed
Story: What Animal Is This?
Online Resources:
• Lincoln Park Zoo Animal Species Data Sheet: Giraffe:
http://www.lpzoo.com/animals/mammals/facts/b_giraffe.html
Activity
Step 1: Lead students in conducting research on the natural habitats for each of the animals depicted in the story.
Step 2: Have class read Pliny, Natural History VIII.69 on giraffes. Several Roman authors thought that giraffes were a hybrid of leopards and camels. Ask students the following questions:
• What features of the animal does this theory help to explain?
• What is wrong with this theory?
Step 3: Discuss with students Darwin’s explanations for the unusual form of the giraffe, using a standard biology textbook. Pose the following questions:
• Are Darwin’s theories compatible with the Roman theory?
• What does Darwin’s theory explain that the Roman theory cannot?
• Which theory accounts best for factors such as habitat?
Goals
This activity meets Illinois State Goal 12: Have a working knowledge of the fundamental concepts and principles of the life, physical, and earth/space sciences and their connections.
From: Pliny the Elder, Natural History VIII.69
The Ethiopians give the name of nabun to one (animal) that has a neck like a horse, feet and legs like an ox, and a head like a camel, and is of a ruddy color picked out with white spots, owing to which it is called a camelopardalis; it was first seen at Rome at the games in the circus given by Caesar when dictator. From this it has subsequently been recognized to be more remarkable for appearance than for ferocity, and consequently it has received the name of ovis ferae (wild sheep).
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