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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain animal classification and natural history 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116281  Explain animal classification and natural history 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner achieving this unit standard will be able to understand the historic and geographic origin and distribution of the specific animal species, its position within the standard classification structure of the animal kingdom, its historic, traditional and current use by man and its basic biology that illuminates the above. In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of agriculture, animal husbandry and veterinary science.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in animal natural history and classification and will be able to operate in an animal production environment implementing sustainable and economically viable production principles.

They will be capacitated to gain access to the mainstream agricultural sector, in animal production, impacting directly on the sustainability of the sub-sector. The improvement in production technology will also have a direct impact on the improvement of agricultural productivity of the sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
No learning is assumed. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Describe the historical origin of the specific animal species, based on evidence. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Animals include but are not limited to mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, fish and insects. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The historic origin of the animal species is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The geographic origin of the animal species is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Conclusive evidence to support the hypothesis of the animal's historical and geographical origin is related and / or provided. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Describe the geographical distribution of the specific animal species, based on its preferences. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Animals include but are not limited to mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, fish and insects. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The basic environmental preferences of the animal species, based on its biology described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The current geographical distribution of the specific animal species. Explain and is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The movement of the specific animal species, identifying natural migrations and movement under human control or due to human causes is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Describe the specific animal species' position within the classification system of the animal kingdom. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Animals include but are not limited to mammals, reptiles, birds, crustaceans, molluscs, fish and insects. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The standard classification nomenclature of the animal kingdom is explained and described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The specific animal species' position within the animal kingdom, using standard classification nomenclature is explained and described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The morphology and / or attributes of the specific animal that places it within the specific niche within the standard animal category nomenclature is described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Describe the historic, traditional and current use of the specific animal species by man. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Animals include but are not limited to mammals, reptiles, birds, crustaceans, molluscs, fish and insects. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The historic, traditional and current use of the animal by man is described and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Use of animals by man include but are not limited to the use of their products for food and feed, medication or religious reasons, their labour in the sense that their senses (smell, hearing, taste and sight) and their physical strength (for draught) have been used to benefit man, for performance, or use in warfare and for humanitarian use, for use as guides and supports for disabled, for the use of their lives in the place of man in various applications because of their attributes, for their ability to consume or convert various unwanted substances, for their ability to warn and defend their charges of dangers.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The use of the specific animal species by man in historic, traditional and current terms is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The various products produced by the specific animals used by man and how they could have changed over time is described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Describe the basic biological and behavioural concepts that will illuminate the geographical, traditional and historical distribution and use of the animal. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Biology of the animal includes but is not limited to facets of the animal that lend the animal to the specific task(s) or products that it is used for by man.

Animals include but are not limited to mammals, reptiles, birds, crustaceans, molluscs, fish and insects. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
A detailed description of the animal species' biological attributes that illuminate its use for man is given. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
A detailed description of the animal species' behavioural patterns that illuminate its use for man is given. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
A detailed description of the possible changes in the animal's behaviour over time, which enables it to be utilised by man or as a result of its use by man given. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Basic comprehension and understanding of the specific animal species.
  • Animal classification and nomenclature.
  • Global geography.
  • Natural history.
  • Environmental awareness.
  • Animal humanitarianism.
  • The purpose of this unit standard.
  • The purposes and advantages of animals to man.
  • Presentation skills.
  • Sensory evaluation of animals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem Solving: relates to outcomes:
  • Describe the geographic distribution of the specific animal based on its preferences.
  • Describe the specific animal species' position within the classification system of the animal kingdom.
  • Describe the historic, traditional and current use of the animal by man.
  • Describe the basic biological concepts that will illuminate the geographical, traditional and historical distribution and use of the animal. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-Organisation and Management: relates to outcome:
  • Describe the historic, traditional and current use of the animal by man. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpretation of information: relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and technology: relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set: relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Personal Development: relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48979   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    3. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    4. Heedmorine Training 
    5. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    6. Maishamalema Development Training 
    7. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    8. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    9. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    10. Mvelo Consultant 
    11. Resource Consulting Services (PTY) Ltd 
    12. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    13. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    14. Setlakala Business Development 
    15. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    16. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    17. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    18. Tripple R Training Provider 
    19. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.