Welcome to Classroom Connections—where every lesson moves from field to classroom. Each post features Ecology Blueprints, real-world Field Notes, and practical Classroom Connections designed to help you teach wildlife science, food webs, anatomy, and ecosystems with confidence.
And bring each lesson to life in your classroom—starting today.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Have you heard of the Hooded Vulture? These vultures are part of the Accipitridae family and are an Old World vulture species.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Do you know the difference between horns and antlers? Antlers: Are on animals like deer, moose, and elk – this is the Cervidae family1&2 Grow from the top, instead of the base2 Are shed every year, and grow the same way each year3 Are used to display dominance by males during breeding season3 Horns: Are on animals like cows, goats, and sheep – this is the Bovinae family1&3 Are found on both males and females1 Grow from the base and are permanent1 Are covered in keratin1 Big antlers signal that a male is healthy because it takes a lot of energy to grow them.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* We have an interesting vulture for you today – the Palm-nut Vulture! These vultures stand out from others because they actually don’t eat a lot of carrion.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* How much do you know about bobcats? Did you know… They’re one of the most populous cats within the US1 They’re nocturnal and begin to hunt at dusk2 Their fur is unique to each individual and can be used to identify them3 They stand 26-41 inches tall and weigh 11-30 pounds.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* White-backed Vultures are found in several regions of Africa. 1 They usually hang out in savannas or woodlands.
Lynxes are elusive, solitary cats that can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia. The species found in North America is the Canada Lynx – and it’s smaller than the ones found in Europe or Asia.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Egyptian Vultures are unique because they use tools to help them eat.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Genetic diversity is an essential part of a healthy species population.
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Red-headed vultures stand 29-33 inches tall, weigh 8-12 pounds, and have a wingspan of almost 90 inches.
*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Can you tell the difference between a jaguar and a leopard? While both of these cats have rosettes on their fur, jaguars will have spots within those rosettes – leopards don’t.
Himalayan Vultures, or Himalayan Griffon Vultures, are a species of Old World vultures and are similar in size to the Cinereous Vulture. Their heads have down feathers that are white if they’re young, and off-white or yellowish if they’re adults.
Cinereous Vultures are another species of Old World vultures. They stand at about 3.
