4th grade science project

[Sharon]

Ok my son has to do a science project. I was trying to think of a legitimate reason to expand my caudate collection and I can't think of a way to do it. LOL.

Can anyone here think of a science project we can do with either my existing axolotls, paddletails or tiger sals, maybe eggs if there are any available to purchase or young larvae - if we can find any to purchase?

NOTHING that will actually harm an animal though. I'm thinking something along the lines of diet, or light exposure... I'm not sure if I'm tired or just drifting off into idiocy.

anyone?

Sharon

[Eva]

I suppose there are lots of comparative studies you could do - two tanks set up exactly the same with one difference to be measured; e.g., the effect on various water parameters of live plants; the effects of temperature on embryonic development/adult behavior (maybe as well as on the various water parameters); even just - and oh I'd love proof of this one, too - a comparitive study of the masurements of dip strips and drop tests on the same water... etc.. I suppose a bit of it would depend on the timeframe available for the project.

I keep thining of the water parameter because the kits for measuring them are so easily accessible and gosh, it's just such fun to play with the little spoons and jars.

-Eva

[Otterwoman]

Maybe try different foods and see what they prefer, or cut worms in different sizes and see what they prefer? I tried to put on my thinking cap but I was at my yoga class and the sweat made it slide off my head and land on my mat--SPLAT!

[BC]

You could try to find some larva, and see if there more active in different water tempatures. If they are put in two exact same aquariums. Of course not killing them though.

[Eva]

Originally Posted by 454

You could try to find some larva, and see if there more active in different water tempatures. If they are put in two exact same aquariums. Of course not killing them though.

I reckon you could try the same with eggs, too. They develop so quickly, different results would surely be apparent and measurable.

-Eva

[Mike Benard]

How about testing if your axolotls can learn to associate a signal with feeding?

Training period (perhaps lasting 2-3 weeks?)
Control group: fed normally, no stimulus
Experimental group: just before feeding, give them some cue that axolotls don't normally respond to (e.g., shine a flashlight into the tank).

Testing period (right after training period has ended)
Give both the control and the stimulus animals the cue. Do the animals in the 'experimental group' respond to the cue, while the animals in the control group don't respond to the cue?

Mike