Orcas

Ages 5–10 · 12 minutes · Science

Is the orca a whale or a dolphin? Why do they have such large teeth? Let's find out!

The mysterious orca is a complicated apex predator with fierce hunting skills and one of the largest brains on the planet. Explore their intense habitats, adaptations, and insane diets!

Part of

All About Animals

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

Alabama

SC23.1.5 — Use information from observations to explain how various external features help living things survive, grow, and meet their needs.
SC23.2.7 — Obtain information to explain that there are many different kinds of living things that exist in habitats on land and in water.
ELA21.2.30a — State and confirm predictions about a text.
SC23.3.11 — Construct explanations of how forming groups helps some organisms survive.

Alaska

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

Arizona

1.L4U1.10 — Develop a model to describe how animals and plants are classified into groups and subgroups according to their similarities.
Identify questions and make predictions based on prior experiences.
1.L2U2.7 — Develop and use models about how living things use resources to grow and survive; design and evaluate habitats for organisms using earth materials.
2.L2U1.9 — Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence that organisms need a source of energy, air, water, and certain temperature conditions to survive.
K.L1U1.6 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms use different body parts for survival.

Arkansas

Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
3-LS2-1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

California

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort, classify, communicate and analyze simple rates of change for natural phenomena and designed products.

Colorado

LS1.A — Structure and Function: All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place and seek, find and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive, grow and produce more plants.
LS2.A — Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: Animals depend on their surroundings to get what they need, including food, water, shelter and a favorable temperature. Animals depend on plants or other animals for food. They use their senses to find food and water, and they use their body parts to gather, catch, eat and chew the food. Plants depend on air, water, minerals (in the soil) and light to grow. Animals can move around, but plants cannot, and they often depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. Different plants survive better in different settings because they have varied needs for water, minerals and sunlight.
LS2.D — Social Interactions and Group Behavior: Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
SC.K.2.1.a — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions.

Connecticut

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Delaware

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

Florida

SC.3.L.15.1 — Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.
SC.2.L.17.2 — Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.
SC.K.L.14.3 — Observe plants and animals, describe how they are alike and how they are different in the way they look and in the things they do.
SC.5.L.17.1 — Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.

Georgia

SKL2.a — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how animals can be grouped according to their features.
S3L1.b — Construct an explanation of how external features and adaptations (camouflage, hibernation, migration, mimicry) of animals allow them to survive in their habitat.
S5L1.a — Develop a model that illustrates how animals are sorted into groups (vertebrate and invertebrate) and how vertebrates are sorted into groups (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal) using data from multiple sources.
ELAGSE1SL2 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
S3L1.c — Use evidence to construct an explanation of why some organisms can thrive in one habitat and not in another.

Hawaii

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

Idaho

Populations of animals are classified by their characteristics. (5-LS-2.2)
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow. (K-LS-1.1)
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. (2-LS-2.1)
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size. (3-LS-2.1)
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see; hear; grasp objects; protect themselves; move from place to place; and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow. (1-LS-1.1)

Illinois

LS1.A-P1 — All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
LS1.C-P1 — All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
LS2.D-E1 — Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size (Note: Moved from K–2).
LS4.D-P1 — There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
DATA-P3 — Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions.

Indiana

1.LS.4 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
2.LS.3 — Classify living organisms according to variations in specific physical features (i.e., body coverings, appendages) and describe how those features may provide an advantage for survival in different environments.
3.LS.4 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
K.LS.2 — Describe and compare the physical features of common living plants and animals.

Iowa

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

Kansas

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

Kentucky

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

Louisiana

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
3-LS2-1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

Maine

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
3-LS2-1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Maryland

DCI.LS1.A.K-2.1 — All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
DCI.LS1.C.K-2.1 — All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
CCC.1.K-2.1 — Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.
DCI.LS2.D.3-5.1 — Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
DCI.LS4.D.K-2.1 — There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Massachusetts

1-LS1-1 — Use evidence to explain that (a) different animals use their body parts and senses in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air, and (b) plants have roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits that are used to take in water, air, and other nutrients, and produce food for the plant.
2-LS4-1 — Use texts, media, or local environments to observe and compare (a) different kinds of living things in an area, and (b) differences in the kinds of living things living in different types of areas.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that animals and plants have internal and external structures that support their survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
SL.1.2 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Michigan

3-LS2-1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
1-LS1-2 — Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.
SL.1.2 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Minnesota

0L.1.2.1.2 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. (P: 3, CC: 1, CI: LS4)
1L.3.1.1.1 — Develop a simple model based on evidence to represent how plants or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. (P: 2, CC: 6, CI: LS1)
0L.3.1.1.1 — Develop a simple model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live. (P: 2, CC: 4, CI: LS2)
1L.4.2.1.2 — Obtain information using various features of texts and other media to determine patterns in the behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive. (P: 8, CC: 1, CI: LS1)

Mississippi

L.2.1.2 — Classify vertebrates (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles) based on their physical characteristics.
L.2.1.4 — Construct a scientific argument for classifying vertebrates that have unusual characteristics, such as bats, penguins, snakes, salamanders, dolphins, and duck-billed platypuses (i.e., bats have wings yet they are mammals).
L.2.3B.1 — Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe and to compare how animals interact with other animals and plants in the environment (i.e., predatorprey relationships, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore).
L.2.4.1 — Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe how plants and animals use adaptations to survive (e.g., ducks use webbed feet to swim in lakes and ponds, cacti have waxy coatings and spines to grow in the desert) in distinct environments (e.g., polar lands, saltwater and freshwater, desert, rainforest, woodlands).

Missouri

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort, classify, communicate and analyze simple rates of change for natural phenomena and designed products.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

Montana

3-LS2-1 — construct a cause and effect argument communicating some animals, including humans, form groups and communities that help members survive;
2-LS4-1 — make observations of plants and animals to compare and contrast the diversity of life in different habitats.
4-LS1-1 — construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction; and
K-LS1-1 — use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals, including humans, need to survive.
L.4.6 — Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).

Nebraska

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
SC.2.7.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SC.3.7.2.A — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive..

Nevada

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

New Hampshire

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

New Jersey

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

New Mexico

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

New York

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Adult plants and animals can have young. In many kinds of animals, parents and the offspring themselves engage in behaviors that help the offspring to survive.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

North Carolina

LS.K.1.2 — Use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to obtain food and other resources, protect themselves, and move from place to place.
SL.1.2 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
LS.K.1.2 — Use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to obtain food and other resources, protect themselves, and move from place to place.
LS.K.2.1 — Analyze and interpret data to compare the characteristics of different types of the same animal to determine individual similarities and differences.

North Dakota

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
3-LS2-1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
There are many kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
K-LS1-1 — Describe patterns, through observation, of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Ohio

1.LS.2 — Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs.
K.LS.2 — Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
1.LS.1 — Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).
SL.1.2 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented in various media and other formats (e.g., orally).

Oklahoma

K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
3.LS2.1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
4.LS1.1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
K.ESS3.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Oregon

3.LS2.1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes, and does not cover how group behavior evolved as a result of a survival advantage.][assessment boundary: assessment does not include evolution of group behavior, altruism, and signaling behaviors.]
4.LS1.1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. [Clarification Statement: Examples of structures could include thorns, stems, roots, colored petals, heart, stomach, lung, brain, and skin. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to macroscopic structures within plant and animal systems.]
K.ESS3.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live. [Clarification Statement: Examples of relationships could include that deer eat buds and leaves, therefore, they usually live in forested areas; and, grasses need sunlight so they often grow in meadows. Plants, animals, and their surroundings make up a system.][assessment boundary: modeling is limited to describing the relationship and does not include patterns of structure and function to show how needs are met. impact on the environment is beyond the standard.]
1.SL.2 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Pennsylvania

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
3.1.3.B — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
3.3.K.C — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Rhode Island

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

South Carolina

1-LS1-1.DCI.A: — Structure and Function All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow. NRC Framework Link
3-LS2-1.DCI.D: — Social Interactions and Group Behavior Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size. Groups can be collections of equal individuals, hierarchies with dominant members, small families, groups of single or mixed gender, or groups composed of individuals similar in age. Some groups are stable over long periods of time; others are fluid, with members moving in and out. Some groups assign specialized tasks to each member; in others, all members perform the same or a similar range of functions. NRC Framework Link
K-LS1-1. — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food, but plants make food; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and that all living things need water. Patterns could be described using multiple modes of representation.
K-LS1-1.DCI.C: — Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow. NRC Framework Link
K-LS1-1.SEP.A: — Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyzing data in K-2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to collecting, recording, and sharing observations. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions. NRC Framework Link

South Dakota

What is the relationship between animals and what they eat, and how does that determine where they live?
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Describing similarities and differences in different organisms of the same species and different species.
K-LS1-1 — Describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
3-LS2-1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.

Tennessee

2.LS1.2 — Obtain and communicate information to classify animals (vertebrates-mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, invertebrates-insects) based on their physical characteristics.
3.LS4.2 — Infer that plant and animal adaptations help them survive in land and aquatic biomes.
2.LS1.1 — Use evidence and observations to explain that many animals use their body parts and senses in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air.
3.LS2.1 — Construct an argument to explain why some animals benefit from forming groups.
4.LS2.2 — Develop models of terrestrial and aquatic food chains to describe the movement of energy among producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers.

Texas

1.10A — investigate how the external characteristics of an animal are related to where it lives, how it moves, and what it eats;
1.13A — identify the external structures of different animals and compare how those structures help different animals live, move, and meet basic needs for survival;
2.13B — record and compare how the structures and behaviors of animals help them find and take in food, water, and air;
2.13C — record and compare how being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes; and

Utah

2.2.1 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about patterns of living things (plants and animals, including humans) in different habitats. Emphasize the diversity of living things in land and water habitats. Examples of *patterns*in habitats could include descriptions of temperature or precipitation and the types of plants and animals found in land habitats. (LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D)
2.2.2 — Plan and carry out an investigation of the structure and function of plant and animal parts in different habitats. Emphasize how different plants and animals have different structures to survive in their habitat. Examples could include the shallow roots of a cactus in the desert or the seasonal changes in the fur coat of a wolf. (LS1.A, LS4.A, LS4.D)
3.2.4 — Construct an explanation showing how variations in traits and behaviors can affect the ability of an individual to survive and reproduce. Examples of traits could include large thorns protecting a plant from being eaten or strong smelling flowers to attracting certain pollinators. Examples of behaviors could include animals living in groups for protection or migrating to find more food. (LS2.D, LS4.B)
4.1.1 — Construct an explanation from evidence that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. Emphasize how structures support an organism's survival in its environment and how internal and external structures of plants and animals vary within the same and across multiple Utah environments. Examples of structures could include thorns on a stem to prevent predation or gills on a fish to allow it to breathe underwater. (LS1.A)

Vermont

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.

Virginia

1.1.a.i — Ask questions and make predictions based on observations.
1.5.b — Animals have different physical characteristics that perform specific functions.
1.5.c — Animals can be classified based on a variety of characteristics.
3.4.b — Adaptations may be behavioral or physical.
1.5.a — Animals need air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat).

Washington

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort, classify, communicate and analyze simple rates of change for natural phenomena and designed products.

Washington, D.C.

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
3-LS2-1 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Objects and organisms can be described in terms of their parts.

West Virginia

S.1.5 — Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.
S.2.7 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
S.3.6 — Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive. 5.3.7 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well. some survive less well. and some cannot survive at all. 5.3.8 Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change.*
S.4.8 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
Building and appropriately using science domain vocabulary and phrases

Wisconsin

Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes.
All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
Students collect, record, and share observations. This includes the following: Record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas). Use and share pictures, drawings, or writings of observations. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns or relationships in the natural and designed worlds in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems. Compare predictions (based on prior experiences) to what occurred (observable events). Analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if the object or tool works as intended.
Particular organisms can only survive in particular environments.

Wyoming

Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes.
All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
A range of different organisms lives in different places.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.