Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

WILDLIFE ACTIVITY BOOK

 Welcome to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency’s Wildlife Activity Book!
To the Student:
There are many wildlife species
and their habitats (places they
live) on these pages just waiting to
be colored along with a few
puzzles to challenge your wildlife
knowledge. If you want to know
what color these animals are, you
can look in a book such as a field
guide where there are pictures of
these animals. You may have seen
many of these animals in your
backyard or in a natural area and
already know what they look like.
What is the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency (TWRA)? It is
a state agency whose responsibil-
ity is to take care of the wildlife
and their habitats for the citizens
of the state. It is funded primarily
by sports men and women who
To the Teacher:
TWRA’s Information and Edu-
cation Division offers a variety of
educational programs to the
general public, including children,
adults and professional educators.
Youth outreach programs include
youth mentor hunting programs
and Free Fishing Day fishing
events, attended by thousands of
participants each year.
Environthons, high-school envi-
ronmental knowledge competi-
tions, are held throughout the
state each year. Women can
participate in many workshops
such as Becoming an Outdoors-
Woman (BOW), designed to teach
outdoor skills, and fishing clinics
(Single Mothers As Reel Teach-
ers, or SMART). For educators,
backyard “wildscaping” (landscap-
ing for wildlife) workshops are
offered and there are free wildlife
buy hunting and fishing licenses.
This big responsibility is an on-
going job and we all can help by
learning more about the natural
world and being active in improv-
ing the environment for all living
things.
The TWRA’s wildlife manage-
ment programs have dramatically
increased Tennessee’s popula-
tions of white-tailed deer, wild
turkey and other species favored
by hunters. This was done by
developing and improving habi-
tats, and through releasing or
reintroducing animals in areas
where they once lived.
The TWRA has also improved
the habitat and population of
many non-game species ranging
related educational materials
including books, posters, and
videos available.
Log on to TWRA’s website
(www.tnwildlife.org) for interest-
ing facts on Tennessee’s wildlife
such as frogs, toads and sala-
manders. You can even hear the
frogs croak! There’s also news
and information about TWRA
programs, hunting seasons,
regulations and the answers for
many frequently asked questions.
Hunting and fishing licenses can
also be purchased online.
Tennessee’s Wild Side Televi-
sion Show: TWRA’s award-
winning television show is a half-
hour outdoors program airing on
Public Broadcasting Stations
across the state. It features seg-
ments not only for the avid hunter
or angler, but stories on many
from songbirds to small mammals
such as bats and many species of
reptiles and amphibians. This will
help make sure that you will
always be able to have the oppor-
tunity to appreciate and enjoy
wildlife.
Let’s not forget the wildlife
species that are in danger of
disappearing! In Tennessee there
are more than 100 threatened and
endangered species ranging from
peregrine falcons to bog turtles,
and several species of freshwater
mussels, fish and crayfish. TWRA
biologists are dedicated to their
preservation, working to both
increase and improve these native
populations and their habitats.
other types of outdoor activities.
Tennessee Wildlife Magazine:
Published six times per year, this
full-color, outdoor magazine offers
articles and photographs devoted
to both game and non-game
wildlife and wildlife related sports.
It includes a popular calendar
issue and is available through
subscription and complimentary to
purchasers of Tennessee Sports-
man and Lifetime Sportsman
Licenses.
The TWRA’s Video Library
houses about 350 videos featuring
many nature, hunter education,
and wildlife management topics.
These are available for loan FREE
to the public and provide an
educational and entertaining asset
for programs and classes.
The bobcat is now the only native wild cat in Tennessee
since the cougar is no longer here.

1
 Weedy field borders and fence rows are ideal areas for bobwhite quail,
cottontail rabbits and long-tailed weasels to live in because these habitats
meet their requirements for food, safety and shelter.
2
Gray squirrels and raccoons need hardwood trees like
oaks and hickories for den cavities and food.

3
 Fox squirrels are often seen on the ground in open woodlands because their
primary food items, acorns, nuts and mushrooms, are there.

4
The chocolate-brown mink and its larger dark-brown cousin, the river otter,
both swim very well, often hunting in ponds and streams for food.

5
 Coyotes are a new predator in Tennessee, first seen here in the
1970s after emigrating from the western states.

6
Muskrats depend on clean, pollution-free waterways.

7
 Opossums live in many habitat types, including cities.

8
Habitat destruction is the greatest threat to wildlife.

9
 By using radio-collars, wildlife biologists study the movements and
habitat use of animals such as the black bear.

10
White-tailed deer are more plentiful now than when America was first settled.

11
 Throughout the history of Tennessee, wild turkeys have
been hunted for food and sport.

12
By building dams that form ponds, beavers create habitat
for many kinds of wetland wildlife.

13
 Gray foxes are good climbers and are usually seen near forested areas.

14
Red foxes like open fields where they can hunt for mice and cottontail rabbits.

15
 Controlled fire can improve habitat for many kinds of wildlife.

16
Both striped skunks and spotted skunks live in Tennessee.

17
 Mourning doves commonly feed on grain and
weed seeds in harvested farm fields.

18
 1 2
3 4
5 6
8 9
10
11
12
13 14
18
20
ACROSS
1. This medium sized predator can be red or gray. (pgs.
14 &15)
5. This animal has a masked face and a ringed tail and
often lives around wetlands. (pg. 3)
6. This bird can often be found along fence rows. It
whistles a call of “bob-white, bob-white.” (pg. 2)
7. This small, brown mammal lives near water. It is often
used for fur coats. (pg. 5)
8. This animal may be striped or spotted and can spray a
very strong smelling odor. (pg. 17)
9. A long-tailed ________ is small but a very good
predator for its size. They can often be found along
fence rows. (pg. 2)
10. This bird is often found in harvested farm fields and at
bird feeders. It makes a soft “cooing” sound. (pg. 18)
11. This large dog-like animal makes yipping and howling
sounds, usually at night. (pg. 6)
13. A ________ ____________ studies, manages and
restores wild animal populations. (pg. 10)
16. This animal is Tennessee’s largest rodent. It has a
large flat tail. (pg. 13)
18. Male ________ have antlers. (pg. 11)
19. The ______ is Tennessee’s only native wild cat. (pg. 1)
7
15
16 17
19
21
20. This tree-dwelling rodent eats acorns and nuts. (pg. 4)
21. This area meets food, safety and shelter requirements
for animals. (pg. 2)
DOWN
2. This animal is the only marsupial in North America. It
is whitish-gray and sometimes pretends to be dead
when in danger. (pg. 8)
3. This device is used to track an animal’s movement.
(pg. 10)
4. This large bird clucks and gobbles. (pg. 12)
7. This wetland rodent has a narrow furless tail. (pg.7)
12. This large mammal is found in the eastern mountains
of Tennessee and in portions of the Cumberland
Plateau. (pg. 10)
13. These habitats support the types of wildlife that
depend on water and the plants which grow near
water. (pg. 13)
14. A controlled ______ can improve a habitat by allowing
new growth of vegetation. (pg. 16)
15. This animal is a good swimmer. It eats fish and is
about 10 times larger than its cousin the mink. (pg. 5)
17. This small animal with a white fluffy tail eats weeds
and grass. (pg. 2)
19
 FURBEARERS SEARCH
Find and circle all 14 animals, horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

C T F S P O T T E D S K U N K S
G R A Y F O X D U N P I W N O V
R I S F G M U S K R A T U O C R
E V K O C O Y O T E B K C P V A
K E I A V A Y T K P S E N O A B
B R A C C O O N T D Y B K S F S
L O N G T A I L E D W E A S E L
V T B O B M T P N B O A Q U B T
B T G C X Y I L O T W V C M L E
D E B S A R E D F O X E C O Y R
T R O D T T A G C M I R L T N B
C B U S A P G C B N Q J F K K O

RACCOON BEAVER

MINK RIVER OTTER

RED FOX STRIPED SKUNK
OPOSSUM BOBCAT

GRAY FOX MUSKRAT

LONG TAILED WEASEL COYOTE
SPOTTED SKUNK ELK

20
 “TRACKING” DOWN THE ANSWER!
WORD SCRAMBLE
Unscramble the animal names using the clues and animal tracks provided.

IS RQU E R L
U R MNOIGN
Den site: leaf nest, hollow tree
OV E D Food items: acorns, tree buds, pine seeds

Den site: tree nest Answer: __________________________

Food items: seeds, grains

Answer: _________________________

AO R CON C
Den site: hollow tree
Food items: acorns, crayfish

Answer: ________________________
Y COTOE
Den site: ground den
Food items: rodents, rabbits, fruit

Answer: ____________________

AQI U L
Den site: ground nest
Food items: seeds, grains

Answer: ____________________

K R S U AM T
Den site: bank burrow
Food items: aquatic vegetation, clams

Answer: ________________________

E B A R V E
Den site: stick lodge
Food items: bark, aquatic vegetation

Answer: ____________________

21
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Finish

Please help the beaver go downstream to his lodge!

 CONNECT THE DOTS

29 58

26
53 59
30
25
54

24 57
27 55
23 52 63
28 31 34 56 64
51
22 20 48
21 35
50 47 62 65
19 32 49 46
61 70
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36 71
40 60
33 44 69
37 41 67
72
18 68
38 43
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39 42 74
17 16 75 77
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12 13 80
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4 116 115

114 106 93
107 99
3 117 113 100 94

108 101 98
2 112
105
102
Begin 118 109
95
here!
1 103 96
119 110 104
111 97

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has reintroduced

this very large mammal to eastern Tennessee.

23
Answer Key Answer Key
Crossword, pg. 21 Furbearers Search, pg. 22
1
F O X C T F S P O T T E D S K U N K S
3 4
R P T G R A Y F O X D U N P I W N O V
5 6 7
R A C C O O N Q U A I L M I N K
R I S F G M U S K R A T U O C R
D S R U
I
8
S K U N K
9
W E A S E L E V K O C O Y O T E B K C P V A
10
D O V E U E K K E I A V A Y T K P S E N O A B
11
C M C O Y O T E R B R A C C O O N T D Y B K S F S
12
O B A
13 14 15 L O N G T A I L E D W E A S E L
W I L D L I F E B I O L O G I S T
E L A I T V T B O B M T P N B O A Q U B T
T A C R T B T G C X Y I L O T W V C M L E
16 17
L R K E B E A V E R D E B S A R E D F O X E C O Y R
A B R A
18 T R O D T T A G C M I R L T N B
N D E E R B
D A
19
B O B C A T C B U S A P G C B N Q J F K K O
20
S Q U I R R E L I
21
H A B I T A T

Answer Key Answer Key

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Tracking Down The Answers, pg. 23 Maze, pg. 24

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• Mourning Dove • Squirrel

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Start
• Coyote • Raccoon

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• Muskrat • Quail

• Beaver
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24
 TWRA OFFICES
All Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday (local time)
N
SO
HN
JO

CARTER
Central Office - Nashville

SULLIVAN
Ellington Agricultural Center

I
CO
N

NI
TO

MORRISTOWN, TN
U
NG
P. O. Box 40747 HI
WA
S

Nashville, TN 37204 ........................... 615-781-6500

REGION IV
GREENE
HAWKINS
Boat Registration ................................. 615-781-6585

COCKE
Boating Safety ..................................... 615-781-6682

K
COC

H LEN
-
AM
Director’s Office .................................. 615-781-6552

B
HAN

JEFFERSON
R
Education............................................. 615-781-6500

SEVIER
GE
IN
CLAIBORNE

A
Fisheries Division................................ 615-781-6575

GR
Law Enforcement ................................ 615-781-6580

UNION

BLOUNT
KNOX
Legal .................................................... 615-781-6606

MONROE
SO
LL
License Sales ....................................... 615-781-6585 BE

ER
MP

N
D
CA

LOUDO
AN
Personnel Division .............................. 615-781-6594

POLK
SCOTT

ROANE
Quota Hunts ........................................ 615-781-6621

MCMINN
MORGAN

CROSSVILLE, TN
Video Library ...................................... 615-781-6544

Y
LE

REGION III
S

SS

CUMBERLAND

AD
IG
Wildlife Division ................................. 615-781-6610 ME

BR
EA
TR

H
N
PICKETT

R
West Tennessee - Region I

FE

N
E

TO
SO

IL
200 Lowell Thomas Drive

ED
ON

AM
BL

H
RT
E
HI
Jackson, TN 38301 .............................. 731-423-5725
N OVE

WHITE

VA EN
PUTNAM
C
AT
QU

R
N
SE
CLAY

BU

MARION
Toll Free ........................................... 1-800-372-3928

GRUNDY
SO K

WARREN
Fax ....................................................... 731-423-6483 JAC

DEKALB
Middle Tennessee - Region II
SMITH
MACON

FRANKLIN
N

COFFEE
O
N
Ellington Agricultural Center
AN
TROUS-

C
DALE

WILSON

D
P. O. Box 41489
R
FO

BEDFORD
SUMNER

MOORE

NASHVILLE, TN
R

Nashville, TN 37204 ........................... 615-781-6622

HE

LINCOLN
T
RU

REGION II
Toll Free ........................................... 1-800-624-7406
DAVIDSON
RY ROBERTSON

LL
WILLIAMSON

HA
Fax ....................................................... 615-831-9995 RS
MA

Cumberland Plateau - Region III

GILES
MAURY

AM
TH
EA
464 Industrial Blvd. CH
E

DICKSON
OM

Crossville, TN 38555 .......................... 931-484-9571

E
C
EN
HICKMAN
TG

R
LEWIS
N

Toll Free ........................................... 1-800-262-6704

MO

LA
HOUSTON

ES

Fax ....................................................... 931-456-1025

I
STEWART

WAYNE
PH

PERRY
M

East Tennessee - Region IV

U
H

3030 Wildlife Way NT

ON
UR
HARDIN

BE CAT
Morristown, TN 37814 ........................ 423-587-7037 DE
HENRY

N
CARROLL

Toll Free ........................................... 1-800-332-0900 ER

SO
MCNAIRY

D
Fax ....................................................... 423-587-7057 H EN
ER
WEAKLEY

JACKSON, TN
ES

TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf)

H
MADISON

REGION I
GIBSON

............................................................. 615-781-6691
AN
EM
ETT

Website ........................................... www.tnwildlife.org

AR
OBION

CK

H
D
O
CRO

O
W

FAYETTE
AY
DYER

AFTER HOURS INFORMATION

H

KE
E

LA
L
DA

For general information, the following numbers may be

ER

TIPTON
UD

called between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and midnight.

SHELBY
LA

West Tennessee - Region I .................... 1-800-372-3928

Middle Tennessee - Region II ...............1-800-624-7406
Cumberland Plateau - Region III ..........1-800-262-6704
East Tennessee - Region IV .................. 1-800-332-0900
Many TWRA programs receive Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act,
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex,
or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further
information, please write to: The Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Authorization No. 328780, 20,000 copies, September, 2005. This public document was promulgated at a
cost of $.18 per copy.