Topic outline

  • Bonnie Beasts of Scotland

    Bonnie Beasts of Scotland

    • Scottish Native Wildlife

      european otter

      What does native mean?

      Native means something that comes from a certain place. This could be a person, plant or an animal. A 'Scottish native' is a plant or an animal that lives or grows in Scotland and has not been brought from somewhere else. Native animals live in the wild. Animals like farm animals or pets do not count as native animals though and we would call them domestic animals.

      Can you think of any native animals or plants?


      grey seal

      Why is it important to look after them?

      Lots of our native wildlife is under threat. It is important that we look after and protect our native wildlife so that it is there in the future. When an animal is threatened and there aren’t very many of them left, we can say that it is endangered.

      Many animals that used to live all over the UK now only live in Scotland. If we don’t help to protect these animals, then they might become extinct. This means there would be none of these animals left in Scotland.

      We can help these animals by learning about them and telling others why it is important to look after nature.


      • Fact File Postcards

        Scottish Animal Fact Files

        Use the Scottish animal fact file postcards to find out more information on your favourite Scottish animals. 

        You can print them off or look at them online. You can also play games with them. Try comparing the heaviest or finding species that eat similar foods. You could also play guessing games where one person has to ask questions or act like the animal on their postcard!

        Downloadable postcards Online fact files


      • Favourite Scottish animal activity File

        What's your favourite Scottish animal?

        Choose your favourite Scottish animal from the Scottish animal fact file postcards. Then you can record the answers for your favourite animal on this record sheet.
      • Native Wildlife Safari File

        Why not go on your own native wildlife safari? You can record the animals you see in this handy booklet.

        Native Safari Guide

    • Scottish Habitats

      Scottish habitats

      What is a habitat?

      A habitat is the place where an animal or plant usually lives. A habitat will provide all the things an animal or plants needs to survive. This includes:

      • Food and water
      • Shelter
      • Protection
      • Other animals that are the same species

      There are lots of different types of habitat. Can you think of any examples?

      Some animals and plants need very special surroundings to live in whilst others can survive easily in lots of different types of habitat.


      • Learn about different habitats we find in Scotland and the how the animals we find there are adapted to their environments.

        Scottish Habitats

    • Polly the Puffin

    • Saving Scotland's Wildcats

      Scottish wildcat

      The wildcat of Scotland (Felis silvestris silvestris) is Britain’s last native cat species and plays an important role in a healthy ecosystem. Sometimes called the Highland Tiger, wildcats are a different species to pet cats. There are key differences between the two species. Their size, markings, behaviours, and genetic makeup make wildcats distinct from domestic cats. Threatened by habitat loss, persecution, and hybridisation diluting the gene pool, wildcats in Scotland now need help in order to survive. Scottish Wildcat Action was the first national project to save the wildcat from extinction in Scotland. The Saving Wildcats project in place today has grown from Scottish Wildcat Action's legacy.

      Spotting a Wildcat

    • Beavers are Back

      beaver

      Find out all about the amazing beaver and how RZSS has been working to look after them:

      Scottish Beavers

      • Watch our 360 video of a beaver release in Knapdale. You can click and drag around the video to change your view, or if you have a VR headset you can even watch it in virtual reality!

    • Further Activities

      • Ask the students to draw a picture of a wildcat and label it with the important features. Alternatively, create a wildcat 2D sculpture out of natural materials outside on the playground and add labels in chalk. For indoor options, try the wildcat art challenge or make a 3D wildcat and create clowder (the collective noun for cats).
      • Try the interactive wildcat game to find out what is causing the disappearance of the wildcat and test yourself when identifying wildcats.
      • You can extend this activity by showing the class the Wildcat Introduction PowerPoint to give them a clearer understanding of the threats wildcats face and a better understanding of the animal itself.