Creature Clues Evidence Worksheet
Page 1: Answer Mat Arctic Tundra & Arid Desert
Creature Clues: Evidence Pairing Mat
Name:
Date:
Directions: Read each animal's adaptation below. Cut out the 5 evidence strips from Page 2. Glue each quote strip into its matching target frame.
Arctic Fox ❄️ Arctic Tundra
Adaptation: Curls its bushy tail around its nose to block freezing winds while sleeping.
Glue Arctic Fox Evidence Strip Here Card Letter: [ ]
Beluga Whale ❄️ Arctic Ocean
Adaptation: Relies on a five-inch blubber layer for thermal insulation in freezing water.
Glue Beluga Whale Evidence Strip Here Card Letter: [ ]
Camel ☀️ Arid Desert
Adaptation: Stores fat in its hump for energy; hump shrinks and flops when food is scarce.
Glue Camel Evidence Strip Here Card Letter: [ ]
Jackrabbit ☀️ Arid Desert
Adaptation: Pumps blood into giant, thin ears so body heat radiates away into the air.
Glue Jackrabbit Evidence Strip Here Card Letter: [ ]
Gila Monster ☀️ Arid Desert
Adaptation: Hides in cool burrows underground during hot days and comes out only at night.
Glue Gila Monster Evidence Strip Here Card Letter: [ ]
Check Your Work:
□ All 5 strips glued □ Paragraph numbers verified with story □ Name & date written
Page 2: Cutout Sheet Large Print Evidence Strips
Creature Clues: Evidence Card Bank
5 Large Evidence Strips
Cutting Instructions: Cut straight across each dashed line to create 5 evidence strips. Match each quote to its animal on Page 1.
EVIDENCE STRIP A Paragraph 4
“The hump is actually a lump of stored fat. When the camel cannot find food, it uses this fat for energy. As the camel uses the fat, the hump can shrink and flop over.”
EVIDENCE STRIP B Paragraph 3
“It can be up to five inches thick. The blubber acts as insulation, trapping the whale’s body heat so it does not escape into the freezing water.”
EVIDENCE STRIP C Paragraph 5
“When the jackrabbit gets too hot, its blood flows into its large ears. The heat escapes from the ears into the air, which helps cool the rabbit’s whole body down.”
EVIDENCE STRIP D Paragraph 2
“When the fox sleeps, it curls its bushy tail around its nose to protect it from the biting wind.”
EVIDENCE STRIP E Paragraph 6
“The Gila Monster is a lizard that spends the hot days hiding in cool burrows underground. It only comes out when the sun sets and the air cools down.”
Classroom Cutting Tip: Cut straight across along the 4 horizontal dashed lines to quickly produce all 5 strips.
5 Strips = 5 Matches
Creature Clues Answer Key
Teacher Resource Master Solution Key
Creature Clues Teacher Answer Sheet
Grading Scale: 10 Points Total
• 5 Matches: 2 points each
Text Evidence Pairing Activity
At-a-Glance Key: 1. Fox = [Card D] | 2. Whale = [Card B] | 3. Camel = [Card A] | 4. Jackrabbit = [Card C] | 5. Gila = [Card E]
Animal & Target Trait
Correct Card
Exact Story Quote & Survival Mechanism
Arctic Fox Tail as Wind Shield Habitat: Arctic Tundra
CARD D Paragraph 2
“When the fox sleeps, it curls its bushy tail around its nose to protect it from the biting wind.”
Mechanism: The tail functions as a physical barrier and insulating blanket that prevents frostbite on delicate facial tissue during sub-zero gales.
Beluga Whale Blubber Heat Insulation Habitat: Arctic Ocean
CARD B Paragraph 3
“It can be up to five inches thick. The blubber acts as insulation, trapping the whale’s body heat so it does not escape into the freezing water.”
Mechanism: Aquatic mammals cannot use fur efficiently in icy water; a dense subcutaneous lipid layer traps metabolic core heat.
Camel Hump Fat for Energy Habitat: Arid Desert
CARD A Paragraph 4
“The hump is actually a lump of stored fat. When the camel cannot find food, it uses this fat for energy. As the camel uses the fat, the hump can shrink and flop over.”
Mechanism: Concentrating fat reserves in a dorsal hump keeps the rest of the body lean to release heat while storing emergency metabolic calories.
Jackrabbit Vascular Radiator Ears Habitat: Arid Desert
CARD C Paragraph 5
“When the jackrabbit gets too hot, its blood flows into its large ears. The heat escapes from the ears into the air, which helps cool the rabbit’s whole body down.”
Mechanism: Vasodilation circulates warm blood close to the skin's surface in thin, broad ears, radiating heat away into desert air currents.
Gila Monster Nocturnal Underground Habit Habitat: Arid Desert
CARD E Paragraph 6
“The Gila Monster is a lizard that spends the hot days hiding in cool burrows underground. It only comes out when the sun sets and the air cools down.”
Mechanism: A behavioral adaptation; subterranean soil provides insulated microclimates that shield ectothermic reptiles from fatal midday sun.
Quick Classroom Debrief Questions:
1. Physical vs. Behavioral Trait: “Ask students: Which of the five animals relies primarily on an (behavior) rather than just a body part? (Answer: Gila Monster resting in cool burrows during the day).”
