So I was able to post a question to the "Ask a Scientist" web site. My question had to do with the genetics of the Eastern Cougar and how they may have helped or hindered them in becoming a dominant species. Unfortunately, I did not receive any type of reply from the site. I am a little disappointed about this, but I can imagine that that sight may receive a massive amount of questions about any number of topics.
Since I posted the question I did some research of my own. I discovered that due to the genetic traits of all cougars, an Eastern Cougar can mate successfully with any other type of cougar. One would think that this would help the Eastern Cougar thrive, however it is still on the endangered species list. The Eastern Cougar also has a few specialized traits that help it be hard to track and successful at hunting. It has extremely large and sharp canines, which make a quick bite to the back of the victims neck fatal. They also have the ability to retract their claws inside of their feet to help them walk through brush silently. This trait also allows them to keep their claws extremely sharp.
I would have like to get some feedback to get a more technical and professional opinion, but as a teacher I have learned long ago to just roll with it. I would like to use this site in my classroom to get kids to become more curious in their thinking. I often do not have an answer that a student may want. This is a great way for me to get them involved in self-motivated inquiry. It is important to me that my students know that I don't have all the answers, but there are strategies that can be used to find those answers.
Is there anyone out their that uses a site like this on a regular basis in their classroom? If so, how do you implement it?
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