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Radiated Tortoise | Zoo Minutes

Discover the remarkable radiated tortoise, a critically endangered species native to Madagascar. See how their shells, diet and behaviors help them survive and learn how animal care and conservation efforts are helping protect their future.

Series

Discover the remarkable radiated tortoise, a critically endangered species native to Madagascar. See how their shells, diet and behaviors help them survive and learn how animal care and conservation efforts are helping protect their future.

Resources

Meet the Radiated Tortoise (Grade 2)

This lesson introduces the youngest students to the idea that an animal's body parts help it survive, using the radiated tortoise's shell and legs as a simple, visual example. Students observe the...

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The Radiated Tortoise: Traits and Survival (Grades 3-4)

This lesson helps upper-elementary students connect a specific trait — the tortoise's radiating shell pattern — to a survival advantage (camouflage in dappled light and shadow) and introduces the idea...

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Radiated Tortoise — Adaptation and Conservation (Grades 7-8)

This lesson introduces middle school students to the connection between genetic variation, survival probability, and conservation, using the radiated tortoise as a case study. Students watch the video...

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The Radiated Tortoise - Natural Selection and Conservation (9-12)

This lesson asks Biology 1 students to apply the four-factor model of evolution (potential to increase in number, heritable genetic variation, competition for limited resources, differential survival...

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Radiated Tortoises: Shape Attributes

Students will watch the SCETV Zoo Minutes: Radiated Tortoise episode to observe how two-dimensional polygons (such as hexagons and triangles) and three-dimensional shapes (such as spheres and...

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Scale Factor in Nature—Radiated Tortoise Shells & Scutes

In this lesson, students explore proportional relationships and scale factor by analyzing the geometric features of the Radiated tortoise using multimedia assets from KnowItAll.org. Students compare...

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Meet the Radiated Tortoise (Grade 2)

This handout is a supplementary resource designed to accompany the “Meet the Radiated Tortoise (Grade 2)” lesson.

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The Radiated Tortoise: Traits and Survival (Grades 3-4)

This document goes along with " The Radiated Tortoise: Traits and Survival (Grades 3-4)" lesson.

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Radiated Tortoise — Adaptation and Conservation (Grades 7-8)

This handout goes with the Radiated Tortoise — Adaptation and Conservation (Grades 7-8) lesson.

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Radiated Tortoise — Natural Selection and Conservation (9-12)

This document goes along with the Radiated Tortoise — Natural Selection and Conservation (9-12) lesson.

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Radiated Tortoise Book List

List of fiction and nonfiction books that can be used in the classroom

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Radiated Tortoise Coloring Sheet

Bring a radiated tortoise to life with color! Discover the beautiful patterns on its shell and learn a fun fact about this remarkable species.

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Radiated Tortoise Body Parts Worksheet

Radiated Tortoise Body Parts Worksheet

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Radiated Tortoise Word Search Worksheet

Radiated Tortoise Word Search Worksheet

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Radiated Tortoise Spot the Difference Worksheet

Radiated Tortoise Spot the Difference Worksheet

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Radiated Tortoise Habitat Activity Worksheet

Radiated Tortoise Habitat Activity Worksheet

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More in this Series

Zoo Minutes

Becoming a Penguin Expert

Lesson

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Becoming a Penguin Expert

Students read informational texts and articles about penguins. While identifying key details and new vocabulary, students gather facts about penguins. Students will share their new learning and...

Comparing Two Amazing Penguins (Grades 3 - 5)

Lesson

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Comparing Two Amazing Penguins (Grades 3 - 5)

In this lesson, grades 3–5 students investigate how King and Rockhopper penguins' different traits each help them survive in a shared, sub-Antarctic environment. Students begin with a prediction about...

Fishing Cat 360° | Zoo Minutes 360

Video

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
Fishing Cat 360° | Zoo Minutes 360
Explore the fishing cat habitat through immersive 360° video. Freely move around the habitat and explore from every angle while getting a closer look at spaces for swimming, climbing, exploring and...
Fishing Cat Book List

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
Fishing Cat Book List
List of fiction and nonfiction books related to fishing cats.
Fishing Cat Coloring Sheet

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
Fishing Cat Coloring Sheet
Color a fishing cat and discover what makes this water-loving feline unique.
Fishing Cat Data Dive (Gr 3)

Lesson

Grades

  • 3
Fishing Cat Data Dive (Gr 3)

In this hands-on, zoo-themed math lesson, students will analyze and interpret four distinct data representations—a dot plot, a data table, a scaled picture graph, and a bar graph—focusing on the...

Fishing Cat Early Writing

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
Fishing Cat Early Writing
Practice early writing skills with this Zoo Minutes activity page. Learners trace letters and the words “fishing cat,” draw a fishing cat, and share what they know through writing or dictation.
Fishing Cat Expert Quiz | Zoo Minutes

Interactive

Grades

  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
Fishing Cat Expert Quiz | Zoo Minutes
Take your knowledge further with questions aligned to South Carolina high school science standards. Apply what you know about adaptations, genetics, populations and conservation to explore the science...
Fishing Cat Ratios, Rates, & Unit Rates (Gr 6)

Lesson

Grades

  • 6
Fishing Cat Ratios, Rates, & Unit Rates (Gr 6)

Students investigate the foraging efficiency and diet of the fishing cat ( Prionailurus viverrinus) using real-world observational data inspired by SCETV's Zoo Minutes. By analyzing hunting success...

Fishing Cat Trivia Quiz | Zoo Minutes

Interactive

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Fishing Cat Trivia Quiz | Zoo Minutes
Put your fishing cat knowledge to the test! Explore what you learned about fishing cat adaptations, behaviors, habitat and conservation.
Penguin Adaptations in Action (Grades 7 & 8) Student Handout Fishing Cat | Zoo Minutes

Video

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Fishing Cat | Zoo Minutes
Meet Kayuma, a fishing cat whose story at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is part of a much larger effort to protect his species. Discover the adaptations that make fishing cats at home around water and how...
Inside the Fishing Cat Habitat | Zoo Minutes

Interactive

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Inside the Fishing Cat Habitat | Zoo Minutes
Explore the fishing cat habitat in 360°. Discover interactive hotspots featuring adaptations, animal care, habitat features, conservation and more.
Inside the Penguin Habitat | Zoo Minutes

Interactive

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Inside the Penguin Habitat | Zoo Minutes
Explore the penguin habitat in 360 degrees. Discover interactive hotspots featuring feeding, vocalizations, nesting, identification bands, habitat features and more.
King Penguin Coloring Sheet

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
King Penguin Coloring Sheet
Color a king penguin and discover a fun fact about one of the world’s largest penguin species, which can stand about 3 feet tall.
King Penguin: Trace, Draw, and Write | Zoo Minutes

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
King Penguin: Trace, Draw, and Write | Zoo Minutes
Practice early writing skills with this Zoo Minutes activity page. Learners trace letters and the word “penguin,” draw a king penguin, and share what they know through writing or dictation.
Meet the Radiated Tortoise (Grade 2)

Lesson

Grades

  • 2
Meet the Radiated Tortoise (Grade 2)

This lesson introduces the youngest students to the idea that an animal's body parts help it survive, using the radiated tortoise's shell and legs as a simple, visual example. Students observe the...

Penguin Adaptations in Action (Grades 7 & 8) Student Handout Penguin 360° | Zoo Minutes 360

Video

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Penguin 360° | Zoo Minutes 360
Get a new perspective on penguins with a 360-degree look inside their habitat. See king and southern rockhopper penguins up close while exploring the spaces where they swim, rest and receive care...
Penguin Adaptations in Action (Grades 7 & 8)

Lesson

Grades

  • 7
  • 8
Penguin Adaptations in Action (Grades 7 & 8)

In this lesson, middle school students investigate how King and Rockhopper penguins have evolved different structural, behavioral, and physiological strategies for surviving in the same sub-Antarctic...

Penguin Behavior & Adaptations (9-12) - Student Packet

Document

Grades

  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Penguin Behavior & Adaptations (9-12) - Student Packet
A video-companion worksheet for high school Biology students, pairing with a Riverbanks Zoo video of King and Rockhopper penguins. Students complete a guided video observation log, compare structural...
Penguin Behavior & Adaptations (Grades 9-12)

Lesson

Grades

  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Penguin Behavior & Adaptations (Grades 9-12)

In this lesson, high school Biology students investigate how King and Rockhopper penguins have evolved different strategies for surviving in the same sub-antarctic environment. Students begin by...

Penguin Expert Quiz | Zoo Minutes

Interactive

Grades

  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Penguin Expert Quiz | Zoo Minutes
Take your penguin knowledge further with questions connected to high school science standards. Apply what you know about penguin adaptations, body systems, behavior and survival to explore the science...
Penguin Math: Double-Digit Addition & Subtraction

Lesson

Grades

  • 2
Penguin Math: Double-Digit Addition & Subtraction

Students take on the role of zookeepers at the Penguin Coast exhibit inside the Birdhouse at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, SC. Using place value strategies and base-ten blocks, students solve...

Penguin Math: Integers

Lesson

Grades

  • 6
Penguin Math: Integers

In this lesson, students explore positive and negative integers by taking on the role of zookeepers tracking environmental conditions at Riverbanks Zoo's Penguin Coast exhibit. Using both horizontal...

Penguin Pals - Meet King & Rockhopper Penguins (K-1)

Lesson

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • 1
Penguin Pals - Meet King & Rockhopper Penguins (K-1)

In this lesson, K–1 students investigate how a penguin's body helps it live in a cold, ocean-side home. Students begin by naming what all animals need to survive, then watch a short video of King and...

Penguin Research Guide 3-5

Document

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Penguin Research Guide 3-5
This penguin research guide is intended for grades 3-5 to use while exploring penguins and their habitats.
Penguin Research Guide K-2

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
Penguin Research Guide K-2
This Penguin Research guide is for K-2 students as they explore Penguins and their habitat.
Penguin Trivia Quiz | Zoo Minutes

Interactive

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Penguin Trivia Quiz | Zoo Minutes
Put your penguin knowledge to the test! Explore what you learned about penguin adaptations, behaviors, habitats and animal care.
Penguin Adaptations in Action (Grades 7 & 8) Student Handout Penguin | Zoo Minutes

Video

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Penguin | Zoo Minutes
Get to know the king and southern rockhopper penguins at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Discover the adaptations, behaviors and animal care that help these remarkable birds thrive on land and in the water...
Radiated Tortoise Book List

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
Radiated Tortoise Book List
List of fiction and nonfiction books that can be used in the classroom
Radiated Tortoise Coloring Sheet

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
Radiated Tortoise Coloring Sheet
Bring a radiated tortoise to life with color! Discover the beautiful patterns on its shell and learn a fun fact about this remarkable species.
Radiated Tortoise Resource Packet

Document

Grades

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
Radiated Tortoise Resource Packet
Explore the fascinating world of the radiated tortoise! Learn more about these remarkable creatures and how we can protect them for future generations to explore.
Radiated Tortoises: Shape Attributes

Lesson

Grades

  • 1
Radiated Tortoises: Shape Attributes

Students will watch the SCETV Zoo Minutes: Radiated Tortoise episode to observe how two-dimensional polygons (such as hexagons and triangles) and three-dimensional shapes (such as spheres and...

Rockhopper Penguin Coloring Sheet

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
Rockhopper Penguin Coloring Sheet
Color a southern rockhopper penguin and learn a fun fact about these energetic birds, including how they hop across rocky terrain with both feet together.
Rockhopper Penguin: Trace, Draw, and Write | Zoo Minutes

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
Rockhopper Penguin: Trace, Draw, and Write | Zoo Minutes
Practice early writing skills with this Zoo Minutes activity page. Learners trace letters and the word “penguin,” draw a rockhopper penguin, and share what they know through writing or dictation.
Penguin Book List

Document

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Penguin Book List
Episode 1
List of fiction and nonfiction books that can be used in the classroom

Zoo Minutes / Zoo Minutes | Radiated Tortoise

Radiated Tortoise Book List

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
Radiated Tortoise Book List
List of fiction and nonfiction books that can be used in the classroom
Radiated Tortoise Coloring Sheet

Document

Grades

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten
  • 1
  • 2
Radiated Tortoise Coloring Sheet
Bring a radiated tortoise to life with color! Discover the beautiful patterns on its shell and learn a fun fact about this remarkable species.
Radiated Tortoise Resource Packet

Document

Grades

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
Radiated Tortoise Resource Packet
Explore the fascinating world of the radiated tortoise! Learn more about these remarkable creatures and how we can protect them for future generations to explore.
Radiated Tortoises: Shape Attributes

Lesson

Grades

  • 1
Radiated Tortoises: Shape Attributes

Students will watch the SCETV Zoo Minutes: Radiated Tortoise episode to observe how two-dimensional polygons (such as hexagons and triangles) and three-dimensional shapes (such as spheres and...