Wildlife and Ecosystems

Wildlife Management 20/30

Predator and Prey

The term predator can be used for any organism that feeds on other organisms. Cougars feeding on a White-tail Deer carcass may come to mind but we can also consider the White-tail Deer to be a predator on grasses. Fungi can feed on plants or animals. Disease can digest flesh. There may even be parasites preying on the Cougars from within their gut.

Predator and Prey

With such a broad definition of predator, it shouldn't surprise you that prey species include those that are entirely consumed, think snake-eaten mouse, as well as examples when death is not the end result. Grazed grasses live on. Humans with athlete's foot scratch but usually live to complain about it.

Predators and PreyOwls cough up pellets, including fur, bones, feathers, and insect exoskeletons and other parts of their prey that they cannot digest.

Researchers can examine these pellets to see exactly what the owls have been eating. On a couple of occasions, researchers have found Burrowing Owl leg bands in the pellets of Great Horned owls!

Predator and Prey

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/mammals-animals/bears-and-pandas/deadliest-grizzly-smell/

Grizzly Bear

What is it known to have one of the most powerful of for finding prey?

How many times larger is its Scent glands that of a humans?

How many miles away can a bear smell another bear, trash, or other prey from?

What other predators did you see in the video?

Predator and Prey

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/birds-animals/birds-of-prey/deadliest-owl/

Great Grey Owl

What is the one of the prey animals for the Great Grey Owl?

What is the purpose of the feathers around each eye?

How far below the snow can the Great Grey Owl hear it’s prey?

Predator and Prey

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/birds-animals/birds-of-prey/deadliest-peregrine-falcon/

Peregrine Falcon

What is the first method that the Peregrine Falcon uses to chase the pigeon?

What is the second method?

What speed does the Falcon reach?

Predator and Prey

Carrying Capacity is the maximum number of individuals a specific environment can support. This limit is impacted by abiotic factors like the weather and biotic factors like predators and the availability of prey.

Limiting Factor is any component of the environment that can inhibit population growth. This includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (not living) factors.

Predator and Prey

List three Limiting Factors(Abiotic and Biotic) that would affect the White-tail Deer population:

1. 2. 3. Any more?!

Predator and Prey

Interpret the graph:1. List the predator: 2. List the prey: 3. Describe the relationship from the graph: (What does it mean?!)

Predator and Prey

Always more prey than predators otherwise the population will eventually lead to an endangered species.. Sound familiar?!

Predator and Prey

PREDATOR PREY BOTH

Predator and Prey

Select any animal within Saskatchewan.

You are to create a Predator and Prey cycle for your selected animal.

Your cycle needs to include the following:

3 predators that feed on your selected animal

3 prey that your selected animal feeds on

Predator and Prey

In your group you are to research your selected animal. Once you have found the answers to each question, each group will present their predator animal to the rest of the class.

Questions to be answered about each animal:

What is the name of your animal

List it’s main sources of food(it’s prey)

List the animals that prey on your selected animal

List the biome in which your animal is located (grasslands, taiga, boreal forest, etc)

What are the adaptations that your animal has. (Ex- Deer has antlers, sharp hooves and are also very agile. These three characteristics are used for protection against predators.)