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Science Launch G3 / Week 08 / Thursday
4/6
Week 08 · Better Together

Thursday

Lookouts and warnings
// Animals that live in groups
⏱ about 15 min

Thursday: Lookouts and Warnings

Rocket and Raven watch meerkats at the zoo. Most dig in the sand. One stands tall on its back legs.

"Why is that one not eating?" Rocket asks.

Raven follows its gaze to the sky. "What do you notice about where it is looking?"

Nova points to the tall meerkat. "Watch what the others do if it barks," she says.

Meerkat mobs

Meerkats live in groups called mobs.

A mob can have up to 30 meerkats. Many mobs have about 10 to 15.

One meerkat acts as a sentinel. A sentinel keeps watch for danger.

It stands on its back legs and scans for predators.

Meerkats make an alarm bark to warn the group.

Meerkats that are not parents help care for the young too.

MEERKAT CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What does the sentinel meerkat do?
How does a meerkat warn its group?
Group benefitDoes this help meerkats survive?
A sentinel spots a predator early.?
Others can eat while one keeps watch.?
Helpers care for the young.?
Every meerkat looks down at the sand at once.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEWatching, warning and helping with young all help the group survive.
An animal that keeps watch for the group is called a what?
WHY THIS EXERCISEA sentinel keeps watch so the others can eat safely.

Taking turns to stay safe

While the sentinel watches, the others can dig for food.

If the sentinel sees danger, it gives an alarm bark.

Then the whole mob can hurry to safety.

One meerkat alone would have to watch and eat at the same time.

A MEERKAT WARNING
  • ?The sentinel spots a predator.
  • ?The sentinel gives an alarm bark.
  • ?The mob digs for food.
  • ?The sentinel stands tall and watches.
  • ?The mob hurries to safety.
WHY THIS EXERCISEThe sentinel watches, spots danger and barks, so the group can get safe.
MEERKAT MOBS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Up to how many meerkats can live in one mob?
Why is it hard for one meerkat alone to stay safe?
A group of meerkats is a ____.
Meerkats warn the group with an alarm ____.
StatementTrue or false?
The sentinel stands on its back legs.?
Meerkats that are not parents never help with young.?
Many mobs have about 10 to 15 meerkats.?
WHY THIS EXERCISESentinels stand tall, and helpers care for the young too.
Try it
Play a quick lookout game with a grown-up.
One person looks at a book. The other is the lookout.
The lookout says "Now!" when the grown-up waves. Then switch.

Sharp eyes, scientist! Tomorrow you build an argument about why animals live in groups.

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