Animal gestation periods | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Which of these animal types give birth to live young?
- Amphibians
- Insects
- Mammals ✓
- Reptiles
Which of these is not a mammal?
- Human
- Chimpanzee
- Dolphin
- Penguin ✓
What are an animal’s offspring?
- Their young (babies). ✓
- Their food sources.
- Their habitats.
- Their body coverings.
Which of these words means to find out more about something by using other sources of information?
- Estimate
- Research ✓
- Question
- Measure
When animals make more of the same type of animal, it is called ______.
- 'Reproduction' ✓
When scientists say what they think will happen in an investigation, it is called a ______.
- 'prediction' ✓

When an animal is growing inside its mother’s body, it is called a ______ period.
- 'gestation' ✓
Which of these animals is likely to have the shortest gestation period?
- Gerbil ✓
- Dog
- Horse
- Rhinoceros
Which of these animals would not spend time gestating inside its mother’s body?
- Human
- Elephant
- Bat
- Frog ✓
Starting with the longest, order these animals according to the length of their gestation period.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  Hippo
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  Pig
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  Guinea pig
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  Field mouse
Look at the table. What would be a sensible prediction for the gestation period of a fox?
- 10 days
- 50 days ✓
- 200 days
- 300 days
Which of these ways can we use to find out about animal gestation periods?
- Carrying out research using secondary sources. ✓
- Observing animals over time. ✓
- Looking at photographs of offspring.
- Going bird watching in different seasons.

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Gestation is the period of time that an animal carries its offspring inside its body before giving birth.
Patterns can be found in the gestation periods of different animals.
Larger animals tend to have longer gestation periods (as they tend to produce larger offspring).
Scientists can use patterns in their results to make predictions for further investigations.
The gestation periods of different animals can be found out by observing them or by carrying out research.

Pupils may think that humans are not animals.

Explain that humans are animals and are part of the mammal group. Make clear the characteristics we have that mean we fit into this group.

Animal - An animal is a living thing which moves and eats other animals or plants.
Offspring - Living things create offspring when they reproduce.
Gestation period - A gestation period is the amount of time an animal carries its offspring inside its body before giving birth.
Prediction - A prediction is a statement saying what you think will happen.
Research - To research something is to find out about it or investigate it carefully.