Zoo's Clues
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The Detective Headquarters is closed for the 2011 season. Be sure to save your detective badges for when the new season begins in March 2012. Have a mystery you'd like to submit for consideration for next season? Email your idea for a mystery to edinterps@zooatlanta.org. |
Hi Detectives,
I received a letter in the mail recently requesting my presence at Scotland Yard in Great Britain – the world famous headquarters to the finest detectives who’ve ever lived! Apparently they have heard about our adventures here at Zoo Atlanta and they need me to help them solve a mystery they are stumped on. That’s right detectives, your pal Clue Spotter is traveling abroad.
While I am away I will have to close down our local headquarters at Zoo Atlanta. During my absence there will not be a new mystery to solve each month, so no need to go searching for clue sheets on the website or at Member Services. But don’t worry, I will be back to start our mystery solving treks again in March 2012. In the mean time, you all should hold on to your detective’s badges so that all the mysteries you’ve already solved will count for next season.
I don’t want your skills to get rusty while I am gone, so be sure to check out all the cool activities I have left behind for you. And if you’re really feeling the need to stay involved, I encourage you and your parents to become Family Volunteers at the Zoo. Family Volunteers participate in all kinds of exciting adventures such as helping with arts & crafts at events, reading stories to visiting families, and even helping to keep Detective Headquarters running during the summer months! I also encourage you to submit a mystery from your trips to the Zoo; email your mysteries to edinterps@zooatlanta.org. Maybe your mystery will be featured in Zoo’s Clues next season.
I am going to miss having you all by my side each month searching for clues and putting mysteries to rest month after month. I trust that you will be in safe hands while I am gone.
Have a wonderful fall and winter break, detectives - wish me luck.
Your pal,
Clue Spotter the Otter
Closed Cases
Catch up on the solved cases to check your answers and see how you can sharpen your investigative skills.
September Case Debrief
Case: Who is the Zoo’s mysterious night predator?
Status: Mystery Solved!
Answer: Tiger (Sumatran)
Something seems to be growing larger and coming closer each night? That would certainly be concerning if I hadn’t already solved this month’s mystery, and what is growing larger and coming closer is the greatly anticipated debut of our very own Sumatran tiger cubs – Sohniand Sanjiv. They and their mother, Chelsea, have been anxious to meet all of their adoring fans here at Zoo Atlanta. So did you solve the mystery as well? Let’s look at each clue to see how you would have gotten the correct answer.
Clue #1: The first clue compares the eye placement in a carnivore’s skull to having binocular vision. This is a common characteristic found in most predator species as it allows for better depth perception to determine the distance of their prey. Prey animals typically have eyes placed on the sides of the head which allows for better peripheral vision. Peripheral vision allows an animal to see all around them, great for monitoring for predators but bad for knowing how far away they might be. Tigers are known for their keen vision, especially at night when it is six times as good as a human’s eyesight.
Clue #2: The second clue was an investigation for animal tracks. Tracking an animal can be much easier with a track to analyze. You should have found a paw print showing a footpad and four toe pads. You should also have noticed the lack of claw marks, which is no accident as tigers are masters of stealth and will retract their claws to continue traveling with little evidence. An added hint with this clue is the education signs teaching about wildlife trade and tiger conservation.
Clue #3: Your third clue was the recording of the predator or predator(s). The first sound is definitely a cat roaring, but the second could easily be mistaken for that of a house cat.
Your pal,
Clue Spotter the Otter
Skills you need to be a good Zoo detective:
- The ability to observe. You should really take a good look at the clues provided. Look at clues from several angles and make note of any details on or about the clue. What is the clue or where did it come from? How does is fit with your knowledge and with the other clues provided? Every part of the clue will help you get one step closer to cracking the case.
- Good memory. You should try to remember all clues provided and details of each to piece together an answer. Cross check each clue and then think how that might fit with your knowledge of animals.
Awareness of animal behavior, physical characteristics, and abilities is important. In order to solve some of our mysteries, you are going to need to know a little bit about animals. What do animals look like and what are their characteristics? Where do they live, what do they eat, (and what does their poop look like!), what are some of their behaviors, and what might be an animal’s motive for committing the crime?- Detectives are helpful, too. Not only do Zoo detectives want to help Detective Otter figure out “whodunit” but they are generally helpful to their neighbors, friends and to nature.
