BE ADVISED: On Friday, May 15, the North American Mammal Hall and African Mammal Hall on Level 1 will be closed in preparation for Bug Fair. The North American Mammal Hall on Level 2 will remain open.

BE ADVISED: On Thursday, May 14, USC Commencement ceremonies at the LA Memorial Coliseum will impact traffic, parking, and wayfinding around the Natural History Museum. Please plan your visit accordingly, and consider riding the Metro E (Expo) Line and exiting at USC/Expo station.

Fox Skull Size Change

Learn about island dwarfism in this math lesson!

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Fox diorama with three foxes

Recommended for Grades 5 & 6

Overview

The Channel Island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is an example of "island dwarfism," where animals evolve a smaller body size compared to their mainland relatives due to the environmental pressures and conditions on islands. In this math activity, you will use measurments of the skull length in the mainland gray fox and the island fox to quantify this change! 

Are you visiting NHM or the Tar Pits? Connect this activity to your visit by finding the fox at NHM or the Pygmy Mammoth at the Tar Pits! 

Location

  • Classroom

Materials