PhD Science Texas - Level 1 Module 3 - KD Poster

Crayfish Body Parts

Soft and fragile on the inside and hard on the outside, a crayfish faces many dangers in a pond. Some animals think a crayfish is a tasty snack. While a hard shell protects its body, a crayfish uses other body parts to survive too. Its pincers catch and hold its food. When a crayfish senses danger, it raises those pincers to strike. Enemies beware! The two big pincers give a painful pinch. To flee an attacker, a crayfish may run away on its spindly legs. For even faster escapes, it swims. A crayfish uses its fan-shaped tail like a paddle. By flipping its tail forward, a crayfish shoots backward. Flip. Push. Whoosh!

Crayfish Sensing Body Parts

A crayfish pops out of its hiding place at night. Flick! Flick! Its antennae dart back and forth. They pick up a scent in the water. Is it food?

Is it an enemy? A crayfish is an underwater detective. Tiny hairs on its legs, body, and antennae allow a crayfish to smell, taste, touch, and hear. Its antennae touch and explore tight spaces between rocks. It also uses its eyes to sense its environment. A crayfish’s eyes can move all around and in different directions. One eyeball can swivel sideways while the other faces forward. If a crayfish senses danger, it attacks, flees, or sneaks back to its hiding place.

Koala and Eucalyptus

Perched in a eucalyptus tree, a koala sleeps most of the day and night. When a koala isn’t sleeping, it eats! Its favorite food is eucalyptus leaves. Before taking a bite, a koala sniffs their minty scent. Its big nose is good at smelling. With a few sniffs, a koala chooses the best leaves and throws others away. Up in the trees, a koala stays safe. It almost never climbs down. A koala gets some water from the leaves it eats. But a thirsty koala needs to drink! When rain falls, a koala clings to its wet perch and licks rainwater from the tree trunks.