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Adaptive Function Of Form: The Beauty Of Ugly

30 minutes 42 seconds

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Investigates the physical features of a number of "ugly" animals to demonstrate the efficiency of their odd appendages or disproportionate body parts. Studies the nose of the star-nosed mole, the fleshy protuberances in the mouth of the snapping turtle, the warthog's warts and tusks, the vulture's head, the northern elephant seal's proboscis, the proboscis monkey's nose and protruding stomach, the naked mole rat's lack of hair or fur, the whip scorpion's alien appearance, the mouths of deep sea denizens, and the bat's head.

Media Details

Runtime: 30 minutes 42 seconds

Topic: Science
Subtopic: Animals, Biology, Birds, Fish, Mammals, Reptiles
Grade/Interest Level: 7 - 12
Standards:

Release Year: 2007
Producer/Distributor: New Dimension/Questar
Series: Nature
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Student Activity Teacher's Guide

Three wolves in the snow. Caption: He's one of the oldest in the northern range,

A grizzly bear chasing an animal, moving so quickly the image is blurred. Caption: the grizzly once ruled alone.

A baby elephant being helped to its feet by the trunk of an adult elephant. Caption: If all goes well, they'll share in the mothering.

Bird with a brown body, drooping white neck, and splayed tail feathers stands in front of a smaller, plain brown bird. Caption: If a female is interested, she lets him know it

Two spiders facing each other on a leaf. Caption: To win a mate, the males must perform an elaborate dance,

A warthog with long tusks curving towards its body and leathery skin covered in mud. Caption: we can see that each has a beauty all its own.

Angular aircraft with multiple flaps on each wing sitting on a concrete deck, viewed from below. Caption: (observer) The aircraft's controlled by many movable surfaces,

Lion crouching low in the grass. Caption: This lion, hidden in the grass, senses an opportunity.

Stacks of man-made box hives with bees swarming them. Caption: Now, they prepare to unload their shipments of livestock--

A bear in a cage with hay on the back of a trailer. Caption: Come on! Let's go!

Viewer Comments

Joel S. (Elizabeth, WV)

March 27th, 2015 at 12:22 PM

The film is a fine one.