Extreme Survival Strategies

How do Polar vortexes, climate change, record storms, extreme weather of all kinds play havoc on our ecosystems and all the species that live there? Discover the answers by watching the four parts of this science show and reading the information below. And to take this learning adventure into your classroom, have your teacher download the free Discussion Guide at the bottom of this page so everyone can share in the fun of this inquiry based learning.

While some species thrive, like record hordes of mosquitoes, others like the loons or whooping cranes struggle to raise their broods when assaulted by record hatches of blood-sucking blackflies. Even though species have had to adapt to various stages of climate change such as glacial advances across the Midwest over the past 2.3 million years, it’s little consolation to some species enduring extreme changes each year that affect their chances of survival. And even with our modern technology, us humans must also develop new strategies to confront the challenges of surviving in the face of record snows, rains, and temperature extremes. While considering this fact, imagine what it must have been like historically for Native Americans.

So all this raises the question, “How do the species that live out in the wild survive these extreme conditions?” The answer is all about extreme survival strategies that different species have evolved over tens of thousands of years. Some strategies are similar between species while others are extremely different. To discover how many species use their unique survival strategies, watch the four segments of this exciting episode. You might even learn that you’re not supposed to mess with hibernating bears in their den as they can easily wake up and defend themselves. And for gosh sakes, don’t run from that bear!

To take this survival strategy learning to a whole new level, have your teacher download the free discussion guide so your entire classroom can participate while learning a few survival tricks from Mother Nature. If you’re an elementary or high school student, download the additional lessons we have provided to use with the discussion guide!

Plus, the educational partner noted below supported the video and lesson content here for all of us to learn from. They also offer other learning opportunities on their website. So click on their logo to discover more!

    Full Video

    Classroom Videos

    The Science of Torpor

    Classroom Assets

    Animal Adaptations Discussion Guide

    RElated Content

    Shooting Sports Challenge

    Welcome to the Shooting Sports Challenge television show that's part of our America’s Conservation & Hunting Heritage Series airing nationally on 5 digital networks...

    Into Bowfishing: From Water to Table

    On this Into the Outdoors episode, we catch our dinner! Bowfishing combines hunting and fishing. Our sights are set on invasive species in the Potomac River near the...

    Learn Boating Safety: Save That Life!

    Savvy Seagull welcomes Barnacle Bob, Party Boat Dude, and Wannabe Certified as guests on “Save That Life,” the game show where contestants win priceless lessons that...

    Sustainable Ecosystems: Restoring Walleyes in Native Lakes

    Dive into this "tail" of walleye conservation, as our Into the Outdoors Adventure Team member, Zach, discovers the significance of this species culturally and...

    Trailing Ice Age Mysteries

    How many glaciers advanced across the landscape and retreated back? Discover the answers by watching the four parts of this science show and reading the information...

    Into Safe and Smart Boating – Part 1

    Whether you're boating or fishing from a boat, canoe, or kayak, being safe on the water comes down to a few basic facts. The first fact facing us humans is that we...

    Reconnecting Rivers & Invasive Species

    Maybe it's only natural that us humans rarely think about how our actions today might impact others or the environment 100 years later. That was especially true back in...

    Into National Marine Sanctuaries

    The earth's oceans are home to thousands of species of marine life, from tiny plankton to enormous humpback whales. The Great Lakes' contain more than six thousand...

    Into Boating Safety: How Life Jackets Save You

    In this Into the Outdoors episode, we’re jumping into the science and importance of PFDs, or personal floatation devices – you know, your life jacket! Wearing a PFD can...

    Into Wetland Conservation

    In this Into the Outdoors episode, we’re taking you to South Dakota to learn about how wetland habitats are being protected on both public and private lands. Join Into...

    Thank you, Partners!