Ripley's Freaky Fridays

~ Teacher's Guide ~


Week #5, Friday, October 15, 2004
Topic: Marine Marvels
Live Chat: 1 - 2 p.m. Eastern Time (10-11 a.m. Pacific) at
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FEEDBACK:

"Thank you so much. We love Fridays!"
-- Sue Volger, Science Teacher
Woodland Park Middle School, San Marcos, CA U.S.A.

"It is an explosion of fun!"
-- Rebecca Morse, Science Teacher
Bellmont Middle School, Belmont, NH U.S.A.

"Middle school kids are great and have such interesting thoughts and to be able to connect some of them through this program is a great opportunity!"
-- Brenda Eve, 7/8th Grade Science Teacher
Jupiter Christian School, Jupiter, FL U.S.A.


EXCERPT:

"SHARK!" That's one word that can cause people's hearts to shiver with fear -- especially if they're at the beach. But shark attacks are actually quite rare. Each year, there are 50 to 100 shark attacks reported worldwide. Usually, fewer than ten of those attacks are fatal. Compare that with lightning strikes: there are over 300 people struck by lightning in the United States every year, and 80 to 90 of those strikes are likely to be fatal.

The deadliest shark of all is the great white. It's huge, serrated, triangular teeth are designed for tearing into flesh. A small great white caught off of Japan in 1954 had swallowed a 13-year-old boy -- whole! The movie, "Jaws," was based on a rogue shark that terrorized the beaches of Long Island in New York State, killing at least five people in the summer of 1916. The most likely culprit was caught and turned out not to be a great white but a bull shark.

Who knows what lurks beneath the cold, dark oceans? Our Freaky Fridays discussion guide and marine marvels maven, Marilyn Steneken.


RIPLEY RIDDLES:

1. The great white is the deadliest shark in the world. What shark is second on the deadly shark list?
A) Tiger B) Bull C) Sand D) Hammerhead

Answer -- A. The tiger shark has the second highest total of reported fatalities resulting from shark attacks. Tiger sharks are not picky eaters; they're known for a willingness to taste anything in their paths. Even broccoli?

2. Halloween Puzzler -- Vampire snails crawl from the seabed at night, attaching to sharks and sucking their blood!
A) True B) False

Answer -- A (true). Also called Cooper's Nutmeg snails, the vampire snail resides mainly in the coastal waters off California. Makes you wonder what happened to Cooper's nutmeg?

3. Mammals such as whales and seals are capable of diving to incredible ocean depths. Measured in meters, what is the deepest level mammals have been known to dive to?
A) 5,000 m B) 4,000 m C) 3,000 m D) 2,000 m E) 1,000 m

Answer -- C. The sperm whale is able to dive down 3,000 meters (9,900 feet). That's *eight times* the height of the Empire State Building! Other deep-diving mammals include the bottlenose whale (2,000 m), the killer whale (1,000 m) and the elephant seal (700 m).

4. How does the sea cucumber defend itself from predators?
A) Uses needle-like spines B) Emits a foul odor C) Retreats into its shell D) Stings like a jellyfish E) Throws up on its enemies.

Answer -- E. If disturbed, this cousin of the starfish and sea urchin will upchuck, covering attackers with a combination of feces, partially-digested food, and mud -- yuck!!! Hope you don't have lunch next period!

DISCUSSION IDEAS:

  • One of the reasons human beings have trouble exploring the oceans is the water pressure. What is the water pressure at the bottom of the ocean? How is pressure measured? Why does it increase the farther down you go?

  • Have you ever encountered creatures while in the water? Were they insects, fish, mammals, or some other life form? Did you enjoy their company or did they bother you?

  • Fish are so lucky they can breathe under water. What do you think would be the most fun thing about being a fish -- if you could breathe underwater? Where would you go? What would you do all day?

  • Why don't all the fish die during the winter, when the lakes and rivers freeze?

  • How many fish are in your house right now? Be sure to check the freezer! How about products in your home that are made in part with marine life. You'd be surprised what's swimming inside your cupboards!
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