3. Observing and identifying animals present in the habitat Animals often move around within their habitat, particularly when they are disturbed. Large animals, like birds, can be observed from a distance. Smaller animals, like insects, often need to be collected so that they can be identified. Scientists try to identify and observe organisms without removing them from their habitat.
The following equipment can be used to collect small animals: A pooter is a jar with two rubber tubes and is used to collect small insects. You inhale through the tube with gauze and this sucks the insect into the other tube.
A sweep net is moved gently through long grass and hedges to collect insects.
A beating tray is used to collect insects from trees. You place the white sheet on the ground under a tree and gently knock the branches with a stick so that insects fall down and can be clearly seen on the white sheet.
A pitfall trap is a jar used to collect crawling insects. You put a container into the ground and disguise it using stones and leaves. Sometimes alcohol is put into it to preserve the insects.
Plastic tube
Suck here
Insect gets sucked in
Gauze filter
Fig. 6 A pooter.
Fig. 7 A sweep net.
Fig. 8 A beating tray.
Fig. 9 A pitfall trap.
4. Identifying unknown species You can use a book with illustrations or a key to identify any species you do not know. A key is a series of simple questions about the physical features of an organism (qualitative data) that helps to identify the organism.
Key A system for identifying organisms based on answering questions about the physical features of the organism.
Fig. 10 A book with illustrations will help you identify different species.
