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| Learning Objectives/Lesson Goals | Students will see what challenges this method of camouflage creates for predators then put counterillumination on their own Hatchetfish |
| WHERE | Classroom about 15 mins. |
| WHO | Classroom Volunteers |
| MATERIALS |
- Wrapping paper with a two-colored pattern
- Plain wrapping paper (1 roll in each of the colors that match the colors in the pattern)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Hatchetfish (1 per student) printed on gray paper
- Glow in the Dark Paint
- Q-tips
- Cut a large sheet of the patterned paper; this will be the “environment”
- Cut 10 fish shapes out of each of the 3 types of paper
- Attach the fish to the “environment,” matching its shape to the background as well as possible
- Attach this to the wall of the classroom
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| ACTIVITIES | - Watch Hatchetfish youtube video (1:35 - 2:25)
- Give the group 15 seconds to “hunt” in the habitat. (Have them stand a few feet away)
- After the hunt, ask:
- How many fish did your group find?
- What color fish did you find the most of?
- Was it harder to find the patterned fish? Why?
- Explain how the hatchetfish adjusts the light on the rows of light organs on the underside of its body to blend in with the faint light from above. This helps to hide it from predators lurking below
- Give each student a copy of the Hatchetfish worksheet and let them add glow in the dark glue to the bottom side of their fish, where they think it will be most helpful
- Have them cut their fish out
- Be sure they write their name on the back
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| RESOURCES | This lesson was adapted from the American Museum of Natural History |
