Reptile Roundup Comprehension Check
CKLA Grade 3 • Unit 2 Lesson 9 Take-Home 9.1 Reading Check
Reptile Roundup Comprehension
Rattenborough's Field Guide to Cold-Blooded Vertebrates
Score
____ / 20
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Reptile Characteristics • Circle the best answer for each question (2 pts each)
1. According to Rattenborough, how are baby reptiles different from baby amphibians?
A. Reptiles are born with gills; amphibians have lungs.
B. Reptiles have lungs from birth, not gills like amphibians.
C. Reptiles breathe through wet skin until they grow older.
D. Amphibians lay eggs on land, but reptiles lay in deep water.
2. Where do most reptiles lay their eggs?
A. Under the surface of fast-moving streams
B. Inside floating seaweed nests in the ocean
C. On dry land
D. In high bird nests built from branches
3. Why do some people mistakenly think snakes are slimy?
A. Their skin is wet and dripping with swamp water.
B. Their skin looks shiny, but it is actually thick and dry.
C. They produce a slippery coating of amphibian mucus.
D. They rub sweet tree sap over their fresh scales.
Part 2: Snake Detective Match • Write the letter of the correct snake next to each description (2 pts each)
A. Black Mamba
B. Rattlesnake
C. Copperhead
D. Water Moccasin
4. This snake lives in African habitats. It is the longest and deadliest venomous snake there, capable of killing in less than 20 minutes.
5. It warns creatures that it is nearby by shaking noisy segments on the end of its tail.
6. Has a triangle-shaped head and dark stripes, stays under 3 feet long, and hides in rocky, wooded areas.
7. Found in southern states like Florida and Mississippi; lives in swamps and shallow lakes where it is hard to spot.
CKLA Grade 3 • Unit 2: Animal Classification Page 1 of 2
Reptile Roundup Page 2: Deep Thinking & Text Evidence
Student Name:
Part 3: Science Vocabulary in Context • Answer in complete sentences (3 pts)
8. The text states: "Reptiles are known for molting, or shedding their skin." Why do snakes molt, and how is the way a snake sheds its skin different from other animals?
Part 4: Crocodile Spotlight • Cite facts directly from page 20 of the text
9. What is true about the saltwater crocodile based on the passage? (2 pts)
A. It is the smallest reptile, growing only 3 feet long.
B. It is the biggest reptile and can grow over 20 feet long.
C. It only lives in cold mountain streams in North America.
D. Its bite is ten times weaker than a great white shark.
10. The Jaw Mystery: Explain the surprising contrast about a crocodile's mouth muscles. How can a crocodile have the most powerful bite in the animal kingdom, yet a third grader could hold its mouth shut? (3 pts)
Part 5: Rattenborough's Evidence Challenge • Written response (4 pts)
11. Imagine a classmate says: "All reptiles, especially snakes, are out to attack and hurt humans!" Use at least two specific facts from Rattenborough's passage to prove why this statement is NOT accurate.
Evidence 1:
Evidence 2:
CKLA Grade 3 • Unit 2: Animal Classification Page 2 of 2
