Habitat Specialist
A habitat is the environment in which a particular kind of animal naturally thrives. An animal's natural habitat is special because it contains all of the necessary elements that the animal needs to live. It is important that zoos provide living conditions that are as close to an animal's natural habitat as possible. Ideal conditions in the zoo habitat would allow the animals to live very much like they would be living in if they were in the wild. There are many different types of habitats such as grasslands, forests, aquatic, and deserts. Each habitat contains plants and animals that depend on the habitat's unique characteristics for food, shelter, and space.
A habitat specialist is someone who is an expert in animals and their habitats. They help zoos to design animal exhibits that imitate each animal's natural habitat. Habitat specialists show the zoos how to recreate these natural environments. The more knowledgeable the habitat specialist is, the happier the animals in captivity will be.
Your job will be to create a model of the new habitat that will be created for the animal that is acquired for the Riverbanks zoo. You may choose to do a drawing, a three dimensional diorama, or other three dimensional model. Be sure to include a description of all elements of the habitat, such as plants, water supply, and food sources for the animals. Be sure to consider vegetation and rock formations, open areas, recreation for the animal, and adequate space.
You will want to learn about your animal first:
Animal Fact sites:
http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/animals.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/
http://wildwnc.org/af/index.html
Information about habitats, ecosystems
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/index.htm
http://redbaron.bishops.ntc.nf.ca/wells/biomes/index.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/index.html
Zoo sites
http://officialusa.com/stateguides/zoos/
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