Skull Specimen Cards Skull Specimen Cards
Lab Resource: Trophic Level Identification
Station Set
01-06
Specimen A
Deer Skull Model
Teeth: Large, flat molars in the back. Large gap between front and back teeth. No sharp canines.
Eyes: Sockets are located on the far sides of the skull, facing outwards.
Specimen B
Tiger Skull Model
Teeth: Massive, curved canine teeth. Sharp, blade-like premolars for shearing. No flat grinding teeth.
Eyes: Forward-facing sockets with heavy brow ridges for deep focus.
Specimen C
Beaver Skull Model
Teeth: Huge, orange-tinted incisors for gnawing wood. Large flat molars in the very back.
Eyes: Sockets placed high on the head and to the sides.
Specimen D
Raccoon Skull Model
Teeth: Sharp incisors and small canines at the front; rounded, slightly flat molars in the back.
Eyes: Sockets face mostly forward, but slightly angled out.
Specimen E
Crocodile Skull Model
Teeth: All teeth are sharp, conical, and roughly the same shape. Dozens of gripping teeth.
Eyes: Sockets are located on the very top of the skull, forward-facing when underwater.
Specimen F
Primate Skull Model
Teeth: Mixed set: 4 sharp canines, flat molars in back, and chisel-like incisors in front.
Eyes: Fully forward-facing sockets for precise depth perception.
Scientist Note: Use your magnifying glass to look closely at the "wear patterns" on the teeth. Flat teeth show grinding (plants), while sharp teeth show piercing or tearing (meat).
Skull Scout Log Skull Scout Log
Field Investigation: Trophic Level Analysis
Scientist:
Date:
Part 1: Lab Briefing
Guiding Question: How does an animal's body help it get energy efficiently?
My prediction about tooth shapes and diet:
My prediction about eye placement and survival:
Part 2: Skull Analysis
Herbivore Carnivore Omnivore
Spec. Observations (Teeth) Observations (Eyes) Classification & Evidence A B C D E F
Part 3: Ecosystem Shift
"A massive drought has caused the primary food source of a Specialized Herbivore to disappear. In the same forest, an Omnivore is looking for its next meal."
The Specialist (Panda/Bamboo)
What happens to this animal when their only food source is gone?
The Generalist (Raccoon)
How does this animal's anatomy give it an advantage in this crisis?
Final Conclusion
Based on what you've learned today, why are physical adaptations (like teeth and eyes) critical to an animal's role in the trophic levels of a food web?
© 2026 Paleontology Lab Unit Adaptation Investigation Log v1.0
Skull Science Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Adaptation & Appetite
5th Grade Science
Standard: 5-LS2-1 / LS1.C
Station Setup
Materials Needed:
Printed Skull Specimen Cards (Set of 6)
Student Skull Scout Logs (1 per student)
Magnifying glasses (1-2 per station)
Projector for Skull Science Slides
Instructions:
Divide the classroom into 6 stations. Place one Specimen Card and a magnifying glass at each station. Students will rotate in pairs every 4 minutes. If using physical models instead of photos, ensure they are numbered A-F to match the log.
Specimen Identification Key
ID Animal Classification Key Evidence to Look For A Deer Herbivore Side-facing eyes (prey); Flat molars for grinding; Gap (diastema) in teeth. B Tiger Carnivore Front-facing eyes (predator); Large canines; Sharp shearing carnassials. C Beaver Herbivore Large incisors for wood; Flat molars in back; High-set eyes for swimming. D Raccoon Omnivore Forward eyes; Mixed teeth (pointy front, somewhat flat back). E Crocodile Carnivore All sharp gripping teeth; No flat teeth at all; Top-facing eyes. F Primate Omnivore Forward eyes; Clear mix of sharp canines and flat molars.
Discussion Facilitation
The "Omnivore Advantage" Extension:
Guide students to realize that while specialists (like pandas) are highly efficient in their specific niche, they are extremely vulnerable to environmental changes. Generalists (omnivores like raccoons or humans) can pivot. Key Question: "Why isn't everyone an omnivore then?" (Answer: Specialization allows animals to access food sources others can't, like bamboo or deep nectar, with less competition).
Common Misconception:
Students often think eye placement is about "what they eat." Correct this: eye placement is about survival —the need to hunt (predator) vs. the need to not be hunted (prey).
Lab Evaluation Rubric
Exceeds
Correctly identifies all 6 specimens with 2+ specific physical evidence markers for each.
Skull Science Slides Revision 5th Grade Life Science
Skull
Science
How physical adaptations determine an animal's role in the food web.
ENERGY FLOW
Warm-Up
Humans
Where do we get our energy?
Beef / Burger
Where does a burger get its energy?
Grass
Where does grass get its energy?
Video Lab
Viewing Guide
Guiding Question
"How does an animal's body help it get energy efficiently?"
Watch for:
Tooth shapes (flat vs. sharp)
Eye placement (front vs. side)
Predator vs. Prey dynamics
Embedded media
HERBIVORE CHECK
Video Pause [3:41]
"Can you name three herbivores we haven't mentioned yet? What specific plant parts do they eat?"
Fruit
Nectar
Seeds
PREDATOR EYES
Video Pause [4:32]
"Why do you think predators need eyes on the front of their heads?"
Challenge: Try covering one eye—how does it change your ability to catch a ball?
Focus
Depth perception for a target.
Tracking
Follow high-speed movement.
FEEL YOUR TEETH
Video Pause [6:18]
"Use your tongue to feel your own teeth. Can you find the sharp ones and the flat ones?"
Sharp Front
Flat Back
Why do humans have both?
SURVIVAL EDGE
Video Pause [7:05]
"Why is being an omnivore an advantage if the environment changes?"
Scarcity: If one food source disappears...
Flexibility: They can switch to something else!
Think: A raccoon eating berries vs. a raccoon finding leftover snacks.
SKULL STATIONS
Lab Mission
01
Observe
Travel to a station. Examine the skull carefully using your magnifying glass.
02
Analyze
Check the teeth and eyes. Record your data in your Investigation Log.
03
Identify
Hypothesize: Is this a Herbivore, Carnivore, or Omnivore? Use Evidence!
