This activity explores images of anole lizards subjected to strong winds, which serve as phenomena for learning about natural selection and the impacts of extreme climate events.

Extreme climate events, such as hurricanes, can select for certain traits. To investigate this phenomenon, scientists placed anoles on wooden rods, then turned on a leaf blower to simulate hurricane-force winds. They slowly increased the wind speed until each anole let go of its rod and landed, unharmed, in a nearby net. The image contains snapshots from the scientists’ experiment for five different anoles (labeled Lizards A–E).

The “Educator Materials” document includes background information and implementation suggestions for using the images as phenomena. The “Student Handout” includes the images and background information.