Classroom Questions

Questions for ‘Newfound ‘bambootula’ spider lives inside bamboo stems’

a photo of the newly discovered Taksinus bambus, showing the tarantula on a bamboo stem. The spider is dark grey with light pink pink hairs on abdomen and appendages

Taksinus bambus, nicknamed “bambootula,” is the only tarantula known to live inside bamboo stems. This new genus of tarantula was recently discovered in Thailand by JoCho Sippawat, a popular YouTuber.

J. Sippawat

By Science News Explores

To accompany ‘Newfound ‘bambootula’ spider lives inside bamboo stems’

SCIENCE

Before Reading:

  1. What would you choose if you could have any animal as a pet? Explain your choice. Do a quick internet search for this animal’s scientific name. How many parts are in this animal’s scientific name? What is the language used in this scientific name?
  2. What is your favorite movie genre? Explain what you like about this genre. Then, come up with a second movie in this same genre. How would you know by watching that both movies are part of the same genre? Use the word “classification” to explain how genres are helpful to people.

During Reading:

  1. What is a genus? To which genus does bambootula belong?
  2. What is bambootula’s official two-part name? Explain the origin of each part. 
  3. What is a culm? How are culms helpful to some tarantulas? 
  4. Who first discovered bambootula? What is this person’s profession?
  5. An arachnologist specializes in the study of which kind of life form?
  6. How did Narin Chomphuphuang confirm that bambootula came from a new genus? 
  7. Describe the type of forest that bambootulas call home. Which kind of plant should you investigate if you want to find a bambootula? How high should you look in meters?

After Reading:

  1. Research the word “taxonomy.” How do the findings in this story contribute to the field of taxonomy?
  2. How did the non-scientist share his findings with the scientific community in this story? If a student wanted to discover new organisms, what kind of places might they look? Many free phone apps allow students to identify plants and animals quickly. Seek by iNaturalist is one example. How might a student use a tool like this to help search for new species? If a student does find what might be a new species, with whom might they share their findings? How might a student use a tool like this to help search for new species? If a student does find a potential new species, what could they do to find out more?