Focus Question
What do salamanders and other animals need to survive?

Activity Synopsis
The teacher will read the book The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer to the students and discuss it with the students. The teacher will discuss with students some of the interesting characteristics of the spotted salamander and have them think about what they would need to do to ensure a salamander would survive if they were to keep one as a pet. The students will then discuss what they would need to do to keep a river otter, an American alligator or a bottle-nosed dolphin as a pet in the classroom. The students will create a mural on the wall to show how they would meet the habitat needs of the animal they have chosen.

Time Frame
1-2 class periods

Student Key Terms

• alligator
• dolphin
• habitat
• river otter
• salamander
• shelter

Teacher Key Terms

• carnivore
• herbivore
• omnivore
• respiration