What would a hawk move to New York city?

Food Chains: Understanding Prey and Predators

By Rebeca Portillo

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​By now you understand that a food chain shows the sequence of transfers of matter and energy in the form of food from organism to organism

​In the image to the left, who eats who? In other words how does matter get transferred in this food chain?

​Food Chain Recap

Open Ended

What are some similarities and differences in how the animals shown in the video eat?

Open Ended

What did you find particularly interesting about how these animals eat?

Open Ended

Which animal eats most like the way you eat? (this can be an animal from the video or one from your own background knowledge)

Vocabulary to know:

Predator: an animal that naturally preys on others.​

​Predator

Prey: an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food.​

​Prey

​​Prey

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​​Predator

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​​Predator

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​​Prey​

Multiple Choice

This is an alligator snapping turtle. They are classified as an omnivore. They have powerful jaws that allow them to catch fish, snakes and other small turtles. Would you consider them prey or predator?

• Prey

• Predator

Multiple Choice

Even though capybaras are twice as big as the second-largest rodents, they are quite helpless when attacked. When threatened, they will dive into the water and try to hide from the danger.

• predator

• prey

Multiple Choice

This is a cape eagle owl. They are carnivores who use their talons to hunt. Are they prey or predators?

• prey

• predator

Multiple Choice

Emerald tree boas hunt small lizards, frogs, and even bats. They are native to South America.

• predator

• prey

Multiple Choice

Beavers are vulnerable to different wildlife. Their main defenses are their architectural skills in building dens and aquatic lifestyle.

• predator

• prey

Multiple Choice

Komodo dragons will eat almost anything that crosses their path. They are considered carnivores.

• predator

• prey

​​​Grass ---------->

​​Groundhog ------->

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​​Coyote

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​Discuss:Do you think introducing certain prey to an ecosystem affects food chains in that ecosystem? Observe the food chain, what effects will introducing the rabbit have to the food chain between the grass, groundhog, and coyote?

​Rabbit

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​Show Your Understanding

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