New
New
Year 5

Animal gestation periods

I can use information to predict the gestation periods of different animals.

New
New
Year 5

Animal gestation periods

I can use information to predict the gestation periods of different animals.

Lesson details

Key learning points

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

Common misconception

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.

Keywords

  • 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.

Give children plenty of time to think and discuss ideas when they are making predictions about gestation periods. You could enhance their discussion by plotting the information they have on a scatter graph and using that to help make predictions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Access to the internet for research (optional)

Content guidance

  • Equipment requiring safe usage.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these animal types give birth to live young?
Amphibians
Insects
Correct answer: Mammals
Reptiles
Q2.
Which of these is not a mammal?
Human
Chimpanzee
Dolphin
Correct answer: Penguin
Q3.
What are an animal’s offspring?
Correct answer: Their young (babies).
Their food sources.
Their habitats.
Their body coverings.
Q4.
Which of these words means to find out more about something by using other sources of information?
Estimate
Correct answer: Research
Question
Measure
Q5.
When animals make more of the same type of animal, it is called .
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Reproduction, reproduction, reproduce
Q6.
When scientists say what they think will happen in an investigation, it is called a .
Correct Answer: prediction, predict, hypothesis
Q2 image 4 penguin

6 Questions

Q1.
When an animal is growing inside its mother’s body, it is called a period.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: gestation, gestate
Q2.
Which of these animals is likely to have the shortest gestation period?
Correct answer: Gerbil
Dog
Horse
Rhinoceros
Q3.
Which of these animals would not spend time gestating inside its mother’s body?
Human
Elephant
Bat
Correct answer: Frog
Q4.
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
Q5.
Look at the table. What would be a sensible prediction for the gestation period of a fox?
An image in a quiz
10 days
Correct answer: 50 days
200 days
300 days
Q6.
Which of these ways can we use to find out about animal gestation periods?
Correct answer: Carrying out research using secondary sources.
Correct answer: Observing animals over time.
Looking at photographs of offspring.
Going bird watching in different seasons.