Lizards in Hurricanes

Provided by: BioInteractive |Published on: February 9, 2026

Lesson Plans

9101112AP

Scientist Reviewed ↗

Synopsis

This resource from BioInteractive focuses on a study done by researchers in the Caribbean to determine the influence of hurricanes on the genetic makeup of anole lizard poopulations.
Students will analyze images of the lizards from the study, discuss what this study implies in the broader context of evolution, and complete other activities to explore natural selection, evolution, and animal traits.

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Subjects: Biology

Authors: BioInteractive

Region: U.S. Caribbean Islands

Languages: English, Spanish

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This resource includes links and suggestions for a variety of other activities, giving teachers many opportunities to build on students' interests and expand on their skills.
Students will enjoy the video describing the study and demonstrating the experiment.

Prerequisites

Teachers may not have access to the original paper linked in the Educator Materials.
To begin the Lizard Evolution Virtual Lab, students will need to select the module in the top left section.

Differentiation & Implementation

To make connections to climate change, teachers can discuss how climate change is impacting the frequency and severity of hurricanes. Teachers can use this lesson as a follow-up or a precursor to the activity.
To continue the topic of the impacts of climate change on species' evolution, teachers can implement this podcast episode, or have students discuss the combined effects of climate change, habitat loss, deforestation, pollution, and overharvesting on extinctions and biodiversity loss.
Teachers can use this resource to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 15, Life on Land.
Teachers can cut the images from the student handout into strips, having students analyze one of the lizards at a time, with each student studying a different lizard. Students can then pair up or group up to discuss the differences between their lizards.

Scientist Notes

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Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

BioInteractive

BioInteractive brings the power of real science stories into tens of thousands of high school and undergraduate life science classrooms.

Scientist Reviewed

This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.

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Lizards in Hurricanes

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

About the Partner Provider

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources