Minibeasts

What is a minibeast?

All of these creatures can be called minibeasts

Insects

Arachnids (spiders) Crustaceans

(woodlice)

Myriapods (centipedes/millipedes) Molluscs

(slugs and snails)

Worms

They are all small!

What do they all share in common?

They do not have a backbone (spine)!

They are called

INVERTEBRATES

We have a backbone!We are called

VERTEBRATES

They have an outer body skeleton

As well as keeping the body solid, it also helps to protect them from harm.

What do they all share in common?

Where do you find minibeasts?

leaf litter

rotten logs

under stones and bits of wood

on trees and bushes

soil

Many places!

How do you find them?

You have to look very carefully!

Many minibeasts use camouflage to protect themselves

This means they try to look like part of their habitat

(the place where they live)

What should you avoid?

• Areas where trees or branches have recently fallen.

• Exposed tree roots

• Wasps – they can sting

• Wasps nests

• Woodlouse hunting spiders – they can bite

How should we handle minibeasts?

Remember they are small and fragile

We must be careful

We must be gentle

If you pick up a minibeast to take a closer look remember to put it back where you found it

Simple ways to identify your minibeast

• Use a good wildlife book

• Count the legs and follow the simple rule:

0 legs = Worms, slugs and snails

6 legs = insects

8 legs = spiders

14 legs = woodlice

More than 14 legs = centipedes and millipedes

• Use a ‘key’

Back in the classroom

• Science - Make your own key

• Art - Draw some minibeasts

• Creative writing – a day in the life of a millipede, snail etc…

• IT - Minibeast game – www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/learning/

• Drama – how do minibeasts move?

• Music - Learn the insect song

The insect song

Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen

Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen

And 3 legs here

And 3 legs there

Eyes, and antennae on my head, on my head