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Shape of Life provides free teaching resources about the evolution of the animal kingdom. We offer short videos, lesson plans, features and news of animals on planet earth.
Phyla
The animal kingdom is one of six kingdoms of life on earth. Discover the greatest story ever told - the story of the animal kingdom and the eight major phyla that make up 99 percent of animals.
Features
Creature
Clam Worm
Clam Worms use their body segments (parapodia) in locomotion, to move and burrow into sand and mud. These segments are also used for respiration and sensing the environment. The parapodia are covered in sensory bristles that can “taste” chemicals in the water and sense current changes and act as feelers.
Clam Worm
Clam Worms use their body segments (parapodia) in locomotion, to move and burrow into sand and mud. These segments are also used for respiration and sensing the environment. The parapodia are covered in sensory bristles that can “taste” chemicals in the water and sense current changes and act as feelers.
Lesson Plan
Our Chordate Family Tree
First, use cards showing traits to diagram evolutionary relationships. Then, check out our video to observe the distinguishing traits of Chordates.
Our Chordate Family Tree
First, use cards showing traits to diagram evolutionary relationships. Then, check out our video to observe the distinguishing traits of Chordates.
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Scientist
Melissa Cronin
How spending summers fishing with her dad on a small remote island off the coast of Maine led Melissa to a life of ocean conservation and the protection of manta and devil rays (genus Mobula).
Melissa Cronin
How spending summers fishing with her dad on a small remote island off the coast of Maine led Melissa to a life of ocean conservation and the protection of manta and devil rays (genus Mobula).
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Did you Know?
Man, are those Mantas Brainy!
Manta rays are impressive in so many ways, including how they coordinate hunting and have complex social interactions. And, did you know that the oceanic manta rays have the largest brain of all fish?
Man, are those Mantas Brainy!
Manta rays are impressive in so many ways, including how they coordinate hunting and have complex social interactions. And, did you know that the oceanic manta rays have the largest brain of all fish?
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Blog
Biodiversity Blog
The earth is in its sixth mass extinction— the worst since the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs and 50% of other species.
Biodiversity Blog
The earth is in its sixth mass extinction— the worst since the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs and 50% of other species.
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