Most species use one way of attracting a mate, whether through physical displays, alluring sounds, or aggression. The side-blotched lizards use three different ways, providing balance to their ecosystem. While the males use their own methods to attract females, females show a preference for the underdog, thus keeping the numbers stable over millions of years.

Concepts

lizards, animal adaptations, evolution

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Play roshambo during class
• Discuss the benefit of having three variations of the same species living in balance

Classroom Considerations

• Show the video when studying animal adaptations, evolution, desert environments, or lizards

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Subtitles benefit English learners, visual learners, and note takers
• High definition video shows the differences in the skin tones of the lizards

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.8.2 RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4