Survival of the Fittest
A physical trait, behavior, or internal process that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its specific environment.
What is an adaptation?
SSP Stands for ______, which is a cooperative program managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that aims to ensure the long-term survival of specific animal species, often those threatened or endangered in the wild.
Species Survival Plan
Our star Galapagos Tortoise
Who is Mommy?
the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them.
What is Conservation?
Similar structures that related species have inherited from a common ancestor
What are homologous structures?
how traits are passed down through generations based on environmental pressures. This doesn’t just select for favorable traits it also selects against less favorable traits.
What is Natural Selection?
What year did the Philadelphia Zoo Open?
1859? 1874? You debate!
Who is Tony?
Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns across the globe
What is Climate Change?
When a population of organisms evolves over time into different species due to isolation. As different groups are exposed to different environmental pressures, they develop distinct adaptations that eventually lead to the formation of new species.
In biology, refers to the change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. It's driven by processes like natural selection and genetic drift acting on genetic variation within a population.
What is Evolution?
What are Brandon and Emma's favorite Animals?
Red Pandas and Big Cats
She sits in your classroom with you
Who is Nessie?
An organism, often a bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, making organic nutrients available to the ecosystem
the attribution of human characteristics or emotions to non-human animals—has often led to misconceptions in zoology, sometimes influencing research and public understanding of animal behavior
What is Anthropomorphism?
Mutualism, Commensalism, Parasitism
What are types of Symbiosis?
Name 3 out of 5 IUCN Threat Levels
What are Least Concern, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct
The tallest and Youngest Giraffe
Bea
Name 5 Reasons Species become Endangered
Habitat Loss:
Deforestation
Urbanization
Agricultural expansion
Wetland drainage
Pollution
Climate Change:
Altered habitats
Shifts in food availability
Increased frequency of extreme weather events
Overexploitation:
Poaching for fur, horns, or body parts
Overfishing
Unsustainable hunting and gathering
Invasive Species:
Competition with non-native species
Predation by introduced species
Disease transmission from non-native organisms
Pollution:
Chemical contaminants (pesticides, heavy metals)
Plastic pollution
Oil spills
Disease:
Introduction of new pathogens
Spread of diseases from domestic animals to wildlife
Fragmentation:
Separation of habitats into smaller, isolated patches
Disruption of migration routes
Human-Wildlife Conflict:
Livestock predation
Competition for resources
Fear and misunderstanding of species
Natural Disasters:
Hurricanes, floods, and fires that alter habitats
Volcanic eruptions affecting ecosystems
Slow Reproduction Rates:
Species with long gestation periods or low birth rates are more vulnerable
Genetic Factors:
Loss of genetic diversity
Inbreeding depression
Economic Factors:
Unsustainable resource extraction for profit
Lack of funding for conservation efforts
Lack of Legal Protection:
Insufficient enforcement of wildlife protection laws
Weak regulations on habitat conservation
Cultural Attitudes:
Negative perceptions of certain species (e.g., fear of predators)
Cultural practices that harm wildlife
The concept of Umwelt
every animal experiences the world differently based on its senses
Diseases that can be spread from animals to humans, or vice versa
Zoonotic Diseases
Name 2 Animals the Philadelphia Zoo has helped bring back from the brink of extinction
Gold Lion Tamarins, Sihek (Micronesian Kingfishers), Rodrigues Fruit Bats, Arapawa Goats, Guam Rail, Bald Eagles
Our momma Orangutan
Tua
What is animal observation important?
Observing animals is vital for ecological conservation, scientific discovery, and animal wellbeing. It helps track environmental health, informs wildlife protection strategies, ensures proper care for captive species, and provides mental health benefits by reducing stress and fostering a deeper connection with nature.
The adaptation where Sharks and rays detect electrical signals from muscle movement, Platypus use it to hunt underwater.
This sense works when vision fails.
Electroreception