Secondary Students Puzzles and Activities
How well do you know your environment? Here some fun educational activities and games to keep you busy and entertained. Please choose the activity you would like to do and click on the link below.
The Environment Crossword Challenge
A challenging crossword puzzle that will test your knowledge of your natural environment. Hints are available along the way.
Word Fill Eco Essay
Now here is a very testing and interesting exercise. Complete the short essay by filling in the missing key words and understand more about the environment and how we can all work to make the Earth a happier and healthier place for all of us. If you get stuck there are hints to help.
Word Match - A quick test of your 'bush' knowledge
How well do you know about Australian bush animals and their homes? What about the trees in your schoolyard or at home? Here are some word games that will test your knowledge.
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| Trees and other plants of the forest | Birds, fish and animals have homes also | What's for dinner in the forest tonight? |
Animals of the forests and rivers
Short-beaked Echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus (monotreme)
The echidna is a solitary, nocturnal animal that is found all over Australia and can survive a range of temperatures. They eat ants, termites and other invertebrates which they grind on horny plates in their mouths. Echidnas have been known to live for 16 years. Predators are dogs, eagles and dingos.
Platypus
Ornithorhynchus anatinus (monotreme)
The platypus is found only in eastern Australia where they live on the edges of rivers and freshwater lakes. They can live at least 12 years in the wild. The male platypus has a hollow spur about 15mm in length on each ankle which is connected to a venom gland. The platypus uses this spur to defend itself against predators. They eat larval mayflies, caddisflies and small molluscs. Predators are snakes, water rats, goannas, introduced foxes.
Southern Boobook Owl
Ninox novaeseelandiae
The Southern Boobook Owl is found throughout Victoria in forests and woodlands. A nocturnal bird it eats small mammals, birds and invertebrates. Its soft feathers effectively eliminate the noise of its flapping wings, allowing it to swoop upon unsuspecting prey. Owls are threatened by land clearing and fragmentation of forests.
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Macropus giganteus
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo lives in grassy woodlands and forests throughout eastern Australia. They feed mainly on grasses and herbs but sometimes eat leaves from trees and shrubs. The most active time is from dusk to dawn so are best seen early morning or late afternoon grazing in groups.
Black (swamp) Wallaby
Wallabia bicolor
The Black Wallaby lives in thick undergrowth of woodlands and forests throughout eastern Australia. They eat leaves of shrubs, ferns, sedges and some grasses. While they are shy, solitary animals they can be seen during the day crossing roads or in the forest. Their life span is about 15 years.
Koala
Phascolarctos cinereus
Koalas live in eucalyptus trees of woodlands and forests throughout eastern Australia. They are an agile climber with sharp claws. Although nocturnal they are usually active for about four hours a day to eat young shoots of mainly Manna gum and Shining Gums. Females have a rear-facing pouch. They need water in summer.