It's Meeko's time to shine! This week's Wildlife Wednesdays feature put the spotlight on one of your favorite animal ambassadors: Meeko, the albino raccoon! Chief Wildlife Officer Harvey Webster and Animal Programs Coordinator Nicole Episcopo gave us a behind-the-scenes look at enrichment and training for our bushy-tailed friend, and shared fun facts about thie Ohio-native species.

Get information about a variety of mammals using this online alphabetical index. Information includes facts about their classification, habitat, diet, behavior and conservation status.

Get the facts about the Arctic Fox. Besides finding a physical description of Canada's smallest fox, you'll also learn about some of its unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Mammal Fact Sheet on the Arctic Fox is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Students identify and interpret traits that are found in mammals by noticing differences among animals of the same species. Make a claim that traits are inherited from parents that is supported by evidence.

If you’ve seen Bitty and Bob at the Museum, you know bobcats are incredible animals. They can leap as far as 12 feet and have a keen sense of smell. In this week’s edition of Wildlife Wednesdays, learn even more fast facts about these felines with wildlife specialist Nikki McClellan. Worksheets available for grades PreK-K and 1-2.

In the animal kingdom, there are seven living classes in the phylum Vertebrata. The Palomar College shares detailed information on each of these classes. Includes examples and photos as well as a follow-up quiz.

This article lists common misconceptions about mammals. It provides formative assessment probes and information about teaching for conceptual change.

Learn how a cow eats and digests food in this video segment from Nature.

This video from Nature offers a description of desirable traits in beef and dairy cattle.

This video from Nature offers a description of desirable traits in beef and dairy cattle. [2:55]

In this video segment from Nature, learn about six different breeds of cattle.

Introduction to the characteristics found in different animals and using the book: Feathers and hair, what animals wearAuthor:Jennifer Ward; Jing Jing Tsong

Two gray foxes joined the Museum’s menagerie of live native Ohio animals in the reimagined Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank, which opened Labor Day weekend 2016. Gray foxes are one of the only canines that can climb trees—a fact that inspired the young foxes’ names. Buckeye and Ash were born in captivity and hand-raised in Minnesota. In the years since the state-of-the-art wildlife center opened, the pair have bonded with their caregivers and become familiar with their homes. Worksheet available for grades 1-3.

Learn how a cow eats and digests food in this video segment from Nature.

A zoologist from the National Museum of Natural History discusses his discovery of new mammals and why scientists are still looking for new mammals. What can finding new mammals tell us about Earth? [37:59]

A good brief review of The Cenozoic Era, which also includes links to more detailed information as well as a chart of its subdivisions.

This formative assessment item uncovers misconception and student ideas about classifications of mammals. It will uncover how students think when classifying animals. The probe is aligned to the National Science Education Standards. Information is provided for instructional suggestions and background information.

Can I identify a situation where elephants and people might have to compete with each other for food? This activity is designed to start your students in recognizing themselves as scientists and thinking critically about problem-solving. The goal is to teach concepts through discovery and to encourage using scientific thought processes. As with all lessons provided, please feel free to adapt them according to your students’ abilities. Some of your students may be early readers, in which case you may find it more successful to lead activities and discussions as a whole group rather than using individual Research Plan sheets. Certain scientific vocabulary may or may not be appropriate for your students’ level of understanding. Take these ideas, make them your own and your students will have a greater chance at success.

In how many ways is shrinking space alike or different for elephants and for humans? This activity is designed to start your students in recognizing themselves as scientists and thinking critically about problem-solving. The goal is to teach concepts through discovery and to encourage using scientific thought processes. As with all lessons provided, please feel free to adapt them according to your students’ abilities. Some of your students may be early readers, in which case you may find it more successful to lead activities and discussions as a whole group rather than using individual Research Plan sheets. Certain scientific vocabulary may or may not be appropriate for your students’ level of understanding. Take these ideas, make them your own and your students will have a greater chance at success.

How easy or difficult do I think it would be for people and elephants to share water? This activity is designed to start your students in recognizing themselves as scientists and thinking critically about problem-solving. The goal is to teach concepts through discovery and to encourage using scientific thought processes. As with all lessons provided, please feel free to adapt them according to your students’ abilities. Some of your students may be early readers, in which case you may find it more successful to lead activities and discussions as a whole group rather than using individual Research Plan sheets. Certain scientific vocabulary may or may not be appropriate for your students’ level of understanding. Take these ideas, make them your own and your students will have a greater chance at success.