Pre-reading questions:
- What are prehistoric animals?
- Which prehistoric animals do you know of?
Vocabulary:
- insight /IN-sahyt /
- mammal /MAM-uhl/
- adaptation /ad-uhp-TEY-shuhn/
- richness /RICH-nis/
- predator /PRED-uh-ter/
[noun] – a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation
The book provided readers with profound insights into the nature of happiness and fulfillment.
[noun] – any animal in which the female gives birth to babies, not eggs, and feeds them on milk from her own body
Elephants are the largest land mammals and possess remarkable intelligence and emotional capabilities.
[noun] – the process of changing to suit different conditions
Cacti have developed spines as an adaptation to protect themselves from herbivores and conserve water in arid environments.
[noun] – the quality of having a lot of something that is valuable or interesting
The diversity of cultures in the city adds to the richness of its social fabric.
[noun] – an animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals
The eagle is a skilled predator, swooping down from the sky to snatch small mammals or fish.
Article reading:
The findings suggest that the megalodon maintained a higher body temperature than its surrounding environment, indicating the ability to generate and regulate its own body heat, akin to modern warm-blooded animals like mammals and birds. This adaptation would have provided several advantages, including increased swimming speed, enhanced sensory awareness, and the ability to live in a wider range of oceanic environments. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the megalodon but also sheds light on the evolutionary history of sharks and their role in ancient ecosystems. Studying the physiological adaptations of prehistoric creatures allows scientists to gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and intricacy of ancient life. While many mysteries surrounding Megalodon continue, this research paves the way for further exploration and a greater comprehension of this ancient predator.
Comprehension questions
- What recent discovery has been made about the Megalodon shark?
- Why has understanding Megalodon’s physiology been challenging?
- How did researchers analyze the megalodon’s body temperature?
- What does the evidence suggest about the megalodon’s body temperature?
- What advantages would a warm-blooded metabolism provide to the megalodon?
Discussion questions
- Which other prehistoric animal do you know of? Tell me about it.
- How do you feel about the recent discovery that Megalodon may have been warm-blooded?
- Do you think a warm-blooded metabolism would have given the megalodon several advantages?
- What can we learn from studying the physiology and behavior of ancient creatures like the megalodon?
- If you could ask the researchers one question about the megalodon’s warm-blooded nature, what would it be?