Burrrrr! It was COLD in Illinois!
Grab a hat and coat because this imaginary trip back in time is to the Rockford Ice Age! From Mammoths, to Giant Sloths, to Giant Beavers, and the humans that hunted them we will journey to a time that looked quite different than today. We will look at Ice Age survivors we can find in our area today, such as wolves and beavers, and compare them to other animals of the Ice Age that didn't survive, such as the saber toothed tigers and dire wolves. Compare their skulls, and learn what made this time so unique! Students will touch teeth, examine fur, and learn how glaciers shaped the land we see today.
Key Concepts:
Ice Age, survival traits, early human hunting, glaciers, Illinois landscape, Illinois history
Skills:
Asking questions, making observations, analyzing and interpreting data
Accessibility:
Program includes moving short distances in groups, and sitting on the floor for discussion & activities. Chairs and/or tables are available upon request. Students may experience an animal encounter with a turtle or tortoise. We believe there should be no boundaries for your students' Burpee Museum experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us at 815-965-3433. We look forward to assisting you.
Standards NGSS:
1-ESS1-2, 2-ESS2-3, 3-ESS2-2, 3-LS4-1, 3-LS4-4, 4-ESS1-1, 4-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-LS4-1, MS-LS4-2, MS-ESS1-1, MS-ETS1-3, HS-ESS2-2
Castoroides ohioensis
Giant Beaver
A huge beaver found throughout most of North America. It was much larger than today’s beaver and approached the size of today's black bear. Some studies estimate that the largest giant beaver could reach almost 300 pounds! (1.4 million–11,000 years ago)
Smilodon fatalis
Saber Tooth Tiger
Notice the large forearms on the Smilodon skeleton. They are massively built and were used to subdue their prey. Their long canines, or “sabres”, helped to deliver a fatal blow to the neck of the animal.
Megalonyx jeffersonii
Jefferson’s Ground Sloth
Sloths in Illinois! This mammal stood as tall as 10 feet, had a large, blunt snout, long claws, and teeth with an outer layer of dentine rather than enamel. In life, this sloth was likely covered in thick hair and lived in woodlands and forests.
Comparative Anatomy
Extinct vs. Survivor
Learn about the animals that lived together during the Ice Age, and which ones went extinct and which ones are still alive today!