Blue-Tailed Skink

In Unit 1 in the Population class which is called In/Out, the class learned about many different organism's characteristics, and taxonomy,which is the way scientist classify organisms. In math, the class learned about elements in math, which is putting a collection of things into groups. For our first action project the class was assigned to pick an organism and research its characteristics and how its classified. Along with that, we were assigned to create a collage mosaic representing those characteristics. We then partnered up with someone and compared each other's organisms to create a Venn diagram. For the math portion, we had to come up with 5 math statements about our organism. I decided to research the Cryptoblepharus egeriae, also known as a Blue-tailed skink. Below is a table describing the Skink’s taxonomic levels and characteristics.

Taxonomic Level	Blue-tailed Skink Group	Key characteristics of group
Kingdom	Animalia	Multicellular Eat things
Phylum	Chordata	They have a tail
Class	Reptilia	Have scales rather than feathers
Order	Squamata	Lizards can pop off their tail so it can distract a predator, and they can get away.
Family	Scincidae	Skinks are covered by smooth, shiny cycloid scales giving them a shiny appearance
Genus	Cryptoblepharus	from the top, the skink looks like a snake
Species	C. egeriae	small with a black body with yellow stripes with a blue tail

I then created my collage mosaic, where I tried to include every characteristic in the table above. I enjoyed putting together this collage, especially the blue tail because I find it very interesting how this skink has the ability to pop it off when being attacked, or when being chased down for food as a way of distracting its predator.

RD, Blue-tailed skink. (2014) Photography

I created 5 math statements showing which set or group my organism does and doesn't belong in.

RD, Math statements, (2014). Photography

I partnered up with JV who had a Mexican Mole Lizard and we compared each others organism below. We also decided to partner up with AMK who had a Fennec Fox.

RD,JV,AMK. Venn Diagram. (2014). Photography.