Texas A&M Forest Service Nature Challenge
Move Like a Prairie Animal
Imagine you’re an animal living in the Dallas-Fort Worth prairie! Can you move through the grass like a rabbit, sneak like a coyote, or hover like a butterfly? Find a patch of tall grass and try moving through it—how does it feel? Now, try crawling low like a snake or jumping high like a grasshopper. Which way is easiest? Which way helps you stay hidden? Think about how animals use their bodies and the landscape to survive in this unique habitat.
Science Seed: North Texas was once covered in vast tallgrass prairies, filled with deep-rooted plants like bluestem and switchgrass. These roots help soak up water, prevent erosion, and keep the soil healthy. Prairies also create shelter for countless animals—rabbits, quail, and insects all use the tall grasses for food, protection, and nesting. Even though much of the original prairie has disappeared, conservation efforts in Dallas-Fort Worth are working to restore these important ecosystems. By keeping native plants in place, we can help support wildlife and even reduce flooding in our cities!
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Details
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This Challenge is for:
- All Ages
- Formal Educators
- Informal Educators
Challenge Topics:
- At Home
- Climate Action
- Conservation/Environmental Education
- Habitat Restoration
- Land Stewardship
- Outdoor Recreation
- School Campus
This Challenge is accessible for:
- People with Visual Impairments
- People with Hearing Impairments
- People with Mobility Impairments
- People with Developmental Impairments
- People with Sensory Sensitivities
To complete this challenge
Step one
1. Find a Patch of Tall Grass
Look for a patch of tallgrass in the Dallas-Fort Worth area or visit a local park.
Step two
2. Mimic Animal Movements
Imagine you are an animal living in the tallgrass prairie. Try moving through the grass like different animals—run like a rabbit, sneak like a coyote, or hover like a butterfly.
Step three
3. Try Crawling and Jumping
Try crawling low like a snake or jumping high like a grasshopper. How do you move through the grass?
Step four
4. Reflect on Movement and Survival
Which movement felt easiest? Which helped you stay hidden? Think about how animals use the landscape to survive in this habitat.
Step five
5. Understand the Prairie Ecosystem
Reflect on how tallgrass prairies are important for animals, like providing shelter and food. How does the prairie’s ability to absorb water and prevent erosion support wildlife?
Step six
6. Earn Your Badge
Share your experience and thoughts on how animals adapt to life in the tallgrass prairie, and how conservation efforts are helping restore these ecosystems.
Step seven
Earn your badge!
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Texas A&M Forest Service and cooperators collectively known as “Nature Challenge” have not inspected the physical locations of challenges. No warranty of safecondition, or fitness for particular use is granted by Nature Challenge. Nature Challenge has not vetted whether the challenges, as formatted by the Provider, is safe. Anyone performing this challenge will be doing so at their own risk.
