Clash of the Critters

Introduction

ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE!?

It’s all-out epic show-down between animals in this year’s annual March Mammal Madness. Inspired by (but in no way affiliated with or representing) the NCAA College Basketball March Madness Championship Tournament, March Mammal Madness is an annual tournament of simulated combat competition among animals. Scientific literature is cited to substantiate likely outcomes as a probabilistic function of the two species' attributes within the battle environment. Attributes considered in calculating battle outcome include temperament, weaponry, armor, body mass, running speed, fight style, physiology, and motivation (libguides.asu).

26 animal competitors 

5 rounds

1 MMM champion! 

In this exciting expedition you will complete a tournament bracket and follow along with the battles! Each week, we will watch as animals compete in various environments for the ultimate title. We will learn about the environments in which these animals live, research who they interact with, explain the biogeochemical cycles that keep their energy flowing, and discuss ways that we can fight threats to their ecosystems! 

Essential Questions

• How do various organisms and species interact in the natural world?

• Are animal relationships all positive or all negative? Is there a degree of nuance?

• What is biodiversity and why is it important?

• How do human activities impact the environment?

• In what ways do humans rely upon the environment for survival?

Learning Objectives

• Describe relationships as competitive, predatory, or mutually beneficial.
• Define biodiversity and explain why it is important.
• Explain how humans depend upon the environment for survival.