Click on the link to visit the Alien Sightings map on the Aliens Among Us website. Which species have made their way into your neighbourhood? Where have Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass been spotted? Have you seen one? Take a picture and post the location on the interactive map.
Click on the link to visit the Alien Sightings map on the Aliens Among Us website. Which species have made their way into your neighbourhood? Where have Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass been spotted? Have you seen one? Take a picture and post the location on the interactive map.
© 2011, Royal British Columbia Museum Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
The Smallmouth Bass has been introduced to British Columbia.
Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment
Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass look much alike, except for the mouth. If the mouth reaches only to the centre of the eye it is a Smallmouth Bass; if the mouth reaches past the eye, it is a Largemouth Bass.
Colleen MacIsaac.
© 2011, Royal British Columbia Museum Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Gavin Hanke, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the Royal BC Museum, discusses the introduced Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu, Micropterus salmoides) and their effect on the sustainability of native ecosystems in British Columbia.
Royal BC Museum – Where the Past Lives
Aliens Among Us
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass
Gavin Hanke, Curator, Vertebrate Zoology, Royal BC Museum
I’m Gavin Hanke, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the Royal BC Museum. Both bass, the Smallmouth and the Largemouth, have a sizable mouth. Largemouth Bass, even the young ones, here’s a very small one, have a band running right down the body. Smallmouth Bass have vertical bars, this one’s fading, in fact all pickled specimens fade. But Smallmouth Bass have vertical bars on the body. Largemouth have a long band down the side.
And you can also look at the length of the mouth, on a Largemouth, the upper jaw extends back behind the eye. On a Smallmouth it doesn’t. They are quite obvious when you see them, especially fresh ones. With the preserved ones it’s a little more difficult. They are distinctive.
As an invasive species, they reproduce very well. So, their populations are growing quite quickly assisted by people moving them around the province. They’ve got a large mouth, that’ll tell you more or less that they are a predator.
Imagine tadpoles, fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, anything that they could swallow, they will. I’ve seen these guys eat frogs, small mice, if a bird landed on the water, a really small bird, they would eat it. I’ve even had one in an aquarium that would eat french fries. They eat anything. Whatever comes close, they will eat.
They are also very territorial. So, when they are breeding, they defend an area, they create a nest and they will evict anything that comes near them. Even a snail won’t be tolerated, they’ll grab a snail and push it out of the nest area. Any fish that comes near will get thrashed, they are quite aggressive.
That severely disrupts the native eco-system. You’ve got habitat and fauna that has evolved over the last few thousand years with a new gluttonous predator added. That really will change things.
The real issue is how they are getting spread around. People like them for fishing, so they move them around and will take a bucketful of bass to a new lake. We are really helping them move around the province. If you introduce a new predator like that it will severely disrupt the system.
Royal BC Museum
© 2011, Royal British Columbia Museum Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are examples of invasive alien species that are affecting the sustainability of native ecosystems in British Columbia. Students explore the resources in this learning object, Threats to the Web of Life, and the Aliens Among Us website, then create a board game that demonstrates their understanding of some introduced species issues.
Method
1. Give students time to explore the learning object and Aliens Among Us website. Bring a sample board game such as Monopoly into class. Explain to students that they are going to create their own board game to demonstrate what they have learned through their online research. Students may work alone, with partners or in small groups.
2. As a class brainstorming session or in small groups, have students identify the attributes of a solid, entertaining board game. Record the criteria for everyone to use for the duration of the activity.
Examples of criteria may include:
• colourful, visually interesting playing board and pieces
• elements of skill and chance Read More
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are examples of invasive alien species that are affecting the sustainability of native ecosystems in British Columbia. Students explore the resources in this learning object, Threats to the Web of Life, and the Aliens Among Us website, then create a board game that demonstrates their understanding of some introduced species issues.
Method
1. Give students time to explore the learning object and Aliens Among Us website. Bring a sample board game such as Monopoly into class. Explain to students that they are going to create their own board game to demonstrate what they have learned through their online research. Students may work alone, with partners or in small groups.
2. As a class brainstorming session or in small groups, have students identify the attributes of a solid, entertaining board game. Record the criteria for everyone to use for the duration of the activity.
Examples of criteria may include:
• colourful, visually interesting playing board and pieces
• elements of skill and chance
• clear rules
• some form of wealth that is redeemable
• some background knowledge required (cards or questions may be included)
• game pieces that move by chance (e.g., a spinner or roll dice)
3. In addition to general board game criteria, all student board games should incorporate the following:
• the topic of alien species
• real examples of alien species in British Columbia affecting the sustainability of native ecosystems
• opportunities for players to make ethical decisions about introduced species
• opportunities for players to demonstrate respect and sensitivity for introduced species and native ecosystems
Ideas for Discussion and Game Design
The humane treatment of animals is a topic that stirs up intense emotions and opinions. Our society struggles with the treatment of animals that we use for food or research. What about introduced wild animals? In many cases, introduced animal species are harming native animals and plants. Does it matter then how we treat introduced species in these cases? Should we eradicate them in any way possible?
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are species that people have intentionally introduced into new ecosystems across Canada for the sole purpose of recreational fishing. Other alien species are moved accidentally, such as the introduction of earthworms and garden slugs through the importing of exotic potting plants and soils. In either type of situation, human behaviour lies at the root of the issue.
4. Allow time for students to work on their board games in class and at home, about two to three 60-minute sessions. Choose a date of completion that can also double as a games day. Set up the board games around the room so that students can circulate and play each of the games. Allow students a chance to play their own game first so they can identify any gaps that exist in their rules, explanation, etc. You may want to have a few extra board games on hand in the event that there are not enough games to accommodate all players.
Summation
5. Assess the games for the agreed upon criteria. Using a sheet with the list of game criteria, students can assess their own games and the games of their peers. Have students leave room on their individual assessments for the teacher to assess and share comments. You may want to invite students from other classes to play the board games if classes are working on the same units, or you might incorporate the games into other special school events.
Suggested Materials: paper; cardboard, felt pens or paint, scissors, cue cards or construction paper cut to card shape and size, game pieces, spinner or dice.
© 2011, Royal British Columbia Museum Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Learning Objectives
The learner will:• give examples of how introduced species can affect native ecosystems in British Columbia
• describe how human behaviour can impact ecosystems
• model or show empathic, cooperative behaviour in a board game
• discuss ethical issues around introduced species
This learning object is linked to prescribed learning outcomes from the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Education, Integrated Resource Package for Grade 10 Science.
