Minibeasts
Minibeasts are small animals that do not have a skeleton inside their bodies. Minibeasts are scientifically known as invertebrates. There are more invertebrates on earth than any other type of animal!
Let's test your knowledge of minibeasts.
Send us pictures or videos of what you have done. Ask your parents to help you send them to rte.ie/learn
We're Going On A Minibeast Hunt
Are you all ready for a minibeast hunt?
What you need – A metal spoon to pick up minibeasts and a clean empty butter box to put them in. A magnifying glass if you have it. You can use the worksheet at the bottom of this activity sheet to note down what you saw.
Some rules to follow –
- Avoid using glass containers.
- Don't leave minibeasts in direct sunlight.
- Leave some moist cotton wool or tissue with them if they are going to be kept for a few hours.
- Replace stones and logs to their original positions.
- Put a plaster on cuts before going on your hunt and handling any minibeasts.
- Wash your hands after working with minibeasts.
Where should you look -
- dark damp spots
- under rocks, logs, and stones
- In the cracks of bark and deadwood
- In Long grass
- On or under leaves and flowers
- In the air
- After it rains keep an eye out for slugs and snails. They love the wet!
Other Ways To Find Minibeasts
Shake them out
Lay white material, like an old sheet. on the ground under a tree or bush and gently shake the branches; lots of minibeasts should fall out onto the sheet. Very carefully scoop up the minibeasts with your spoon and place into the tub so you can view them easily. Release them when you have finished studying them.
A Pitfall Trap
This is a great way to catch some minibeasts that walk along the ground.
What you need
- A clean yogurt carton or a plastic disposable drinking cup with a hole at the bottom so water can drain away if it gets in.
- Stones and a piece of slate or tile to make a roof.
- Cotton wool soaked in water so the minibeasts can have a drink
- A slice of apple or banana to entice them into the trap and keep them fed.
- Stones, leaves or moss for them to hide in so bigger minibeasts don't see them and eat them. Don’t put in too much or they will climb out.
How to make the pitfall trap
- Dig a hole in the soil the size of your yogurt carton.
- Place the carton into the hole and make sure its rim is exactly level with the surface of the soil.
- Place the cotton wool, food, and things to hide under, into the trap.
- Cover the trap with the tile or slate, raising it up off the ground using some stones so the minibeasts can easily crawl under and into the trap.
- Leave the trap overnight and check it the next morning.
- Record the minibeasts you have caught in your trap and release them.
Quick! Save the worm!
Send us pictures or videos of what you have done. Ask your parents to help you send them to rte.ie/learn
Answers – Name the minibeast - Centipede, bee, beetle, snail, woodlouse, worm, ladybird, dragonfly, fly, earwig, slug, butterfly, caterpillar, daddy long legs, spider, wasp.
