Scientists have identified many new species over the  years, such as an electric blue tarantula, two types of pygmy squid, a quiet frog, and small chameleons the size of a thumb. Experts believe that fewer than 20% of the species on Earth have been recorded by Western science. While a species might be new to scientific study, it may already be familiar to local and Indigenous communities, who often have their own common names for them.

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #13: Discovering a New Species

2. Read this information page. For each question, write 3-4 sentence with information from the article.

• Have we discovered every species alive on Earth?
• What does it mean to ‘discover’ a new species?
• How do scientists formally describe a new species?

3. Record 3 of the new species names from the article and write a description about each one.

4.  What is it like to discover a new species. Watch this video to find out. Take 5 notes on your recording page.

5. Share your science mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the New Creature Species badge on the EY website.