Sleep Patterns
Observe the effects of light, sound and other factors on an animal's sleep patterns. This type of experiment is well-suited to smaller caged animals, such as mice, rats, hamsters or gerbils. After establishing the subject's normal sleep habits, introduce atmospheric elements such as ambient sound and music, as well as colored and white light one by one, and map the changes on a chart.
Animal Life Cycles
Track an animal's growth stages, from birth to adulthood. Choose an animal with distinct stages that can be analyzed, like frogs, which transform from egg to tadpole before becoming a fully formed frog, as well as birds, butterflies or even salmon, who evolve from three distinct phases -- alvins, parr and smolt -- before maturing into an adult. Outline the different stages with colourful diagrams, identifying the major differences between them and reasons for the changes.
Breeds
Explore the behavioral differences, or ethology, of several breeds of an animal. Cats and dogs are appropriate subjects for this study, as there are likely to be a number of different breeds easily available. Evaluate a number of breeds of the animal using a series of set research points, such as movement, diet, sleep pattern, trainability and instincts, and present the findings alongside background information on the history of each individual breed.
Nocturnal Animals
Identify the major differences between nocturnal animals and their daytime counterparts. Check out the nocturnal species at the local zoo or science center, and note eye shape, fur or feather color and other physical characteristics, as well as behavioral details and sleep patterns. Alternatively, focus on one specific nocturnal creature, like the barn owl or the bat, and evaluate how its body has evolved to suit nighttime activity.