Transcript Minibeasts - National Museum Wales

Minibeasts
Arachnids
(spiders)
Insects
Crustaceans
(woodlice)
What is a minibeast?
Myriapods
(centipedes/
millipedes)
Worms
Molluscs
(slugs and snails)
All of these creatures can be called minibeasts
They are all small!
What do they all share in common?
They do not have a backbone (spine)!
They are called
INVERTEBRATES
We have a backbone!
We are called
VERTEBRATES
What do they all share in common?
They have an outer body skeleton
As well as keeping the body solid, it also
helps to protect them from harm.
Where do you find minibeasts?
Many places!
soil
leaf litter
rotten logs
under stones and bits of wood
on trees and bushes
How do you find them?
You have to look very carefully!
Many minibeasts use camouflage to protect themselves
This means they try to look
like part of their habitat
(the place where they live)
What should you avoid?
• Areas where trees or branches have
recently fallen.
• Exposed tree roots
• Wasps – they can sting
• Wasps nests
• Woodlouse hunting spiders – they can bite
How should we handle minibeasts?
We must be careful
We must be gentle
Remember they are small and fragile
If you pick up a minibeast to take a closer look
remember to put it back where you found it
Simple ways to identify your
minibeast
• Use a ‘key’
• Use a good wildlife book
• Count the legs and follow the simple rule:
0 legs = Worms, slugs and snails
6 legs = insects
8 legs = spiders
14 legs = woodlice
More than 14 legs = centipedes and millipedes
Back in the classroom
• Science - Make your own key
• Art - Draw some minibeasts
• Creative writing – a day in the life of a
millipede, snail etc…
• IT - Minibeast game –
www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/learning/
• Drama – how do minibeasts move?
• Music - Learn the insect song
The insect song
Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen
Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen
And 3 legs here
And 3 legs there
Eyes, and antennae on my head, on my head