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Invasive Species

CONCEPTUAL
ScienceAnimals of the World|Ages 9—11|ID: mt_CBxOcjh69x

Understand that invasive species are animals (or plants) that have been introduced to a place where they don't naturally belong — like grey squirrels outcompeting red squirrels in the UK, cane toads poisoning native predators in Australia, or rabbits devastating ecosystems in Australia — and that they can cause serious harm to native wildlife by competing for food, spreading disease, or having no natural predators

Mastery Evidence

  • Defines invasive species as non-native animals introduced to a new environment
  • Names at least 2 examples of invasive species and their impacts
  • Explains at least 2 reasons invasive species are harmful (no predators, outcompete natives, spread disease)
  • Understands the difference between a species naturally expanding its range and being introduced by humans

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] learns that grey squirrels were brought to the UK from America, can they explain why introduced animals can be a problem for the animals that were already living there?”

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