Lesson 9

1. Lesson 9 Observing the Millipedes more Closely

2. Overview • Observe, describe, and record the characteristics of millipedes. • Record questions about millipedes. • Use Venn diagram to compare the elements of the frog, crab, and millipede habitats.

3. Background • Millipedes are the least active of the 3 animals. • Millipedes are generally nocturnal, or active at night rather than during the day. • It may become active for short periods of time during the day. • You can stimulate the millipedes to emerge by misting the habitat to raise the moisture levels. • Lifting the leaf litter may also rouse the millipedes.

4. Very clean • They have special brush like group of hairs on their 2nd and 3rd pair of legs which are used in cleaning the antennae. • Many mammals are predators of millipedes including Elephant shrews, water shrews, hedgehogs, frogs, lizards, tortoises, birds, bugs, scorpions, beetles, and a few species of ants. • To determine number of legs, count the body segments and multiply by 4. • Eat rotten or fresh fruits and vegetables and decaying leaves. • Millipedes are harmless. • Do not carry serious diseases. • They can climb walls easily and enter through any small opening.

5. Observing the Millipedes • If one tries to get out, gently guide them back in the habitat. • When you are finished, carefully resecure the tape. • Use hand lens. • Wear plastic gloves. • Mist the habitat, but do not soak it. • Observe the head, body segment, number of legs per segment, and the wavy leg motion. • Record observations, questions, discussions, and descriptions of the millipedes. • Share.

7. Rubric

8. Commercial • What are some good qualities about millipedes? • What are some excuses that your parents would come up with, so you could not adopt a millipede? • Brainstorm ideas for your commercial, and it must be approved by the teacher. • Write skit and it must be approved by the teacher.

9. The End!!!