Many animals that are prey defend themselves by using camouflage. To illustrate this concept in a science project, draw and cut out several butterfly or moth shapes. Have students choose several different backgrounds. These backgrounds can be natural, such as a leaf or tree, or be other items, such as a solid book or a piece of clothing. Have students color the butterflies or moths so that they match their background as closely as possible. Place the moth on the background and see if another person can find it.
Help students learn about animals that live in your area by observing the outdoors quietly until they see an animal. Have students note the approximate size and color of the animal, as well as what it is doing and where it came from and went to. Continue observing the outdoors over the course of several days to find more of the same animal. Record the same information and compare the animals that were seen with one another.
Teach the life cycle of different kinds of animals to students. Include the lifestyles of insects, birds, marsupials, rodents and fish. Have students create an illustration for each life cycle on a poster or on different pieces of paper. Make sure that they include how the cycle begins, how the animal grows and when it dies.
Create pictures of different habitats that are home to different animals. Create pictures of animals that live in the habitats. Have students color in the pictures and then match the pictures of animals to their habitats. Discuss why the animals are happy in their habitat and what may be missing from other habitats.
Choose different animals and discuss where they are located on the food chain. Create pictures of animals from the food chain and have students place them in the correct order. Have students explain the chain and why each animal is placed where it is.