Teacher's Prompt: Waterbuck Theory

It’s Wildlife Writing Wednesday, and we’ve compiled some additional information for you as the instructor in case:

• you want to offer any introductory discussion for your students before releasing the prompt to them

• it is helpful for you in your evaluation/understanding

• this understanding helps you to alter the prompt for grade level

The picture for this week’s prompt is a picture of a Waterbuck. The Waterbuck is an antelope species that originates from Africa. It gets its name from its special skin glands that secrete an oil, which emits a musky odor and waterproofs its hair.

PROMPT:

One of the Waterbuck's physical characteristics that makes it easy to identify is the white circle pattern on both males' and females' rumps. Some scientists believe in a theory that the circle helps these animals to identify each other and stay together or follow each other. Do you believe this theory? Why or why not?