Living and Nonliving in Ecosystems

Imagine you are setting up a terrarium for a leopard gecko. You notice that the gecko needs a warm place to rest. Using reasoning, which nonliving component would you plan to add to help the gecko stay warm, and why?

• A small water dish, because it gives the gecko something to drink.

• A heat lamp, because it provides warmth like the sun.

• A plastic plant, because it makes the terrarium look nice.

• A rock, because it is hard.

You are observing a leopard gecko in its terrarium. The gecko is hiding under a log during the day and comes out at night. Using evidence, what can you infer about the interaction between the gecko and the nonliving log?

• The log is food for the gecko.

• The log gives the gecko a place to hide and feel safe.

• The log makes the terrarium smell nice.

• The log helps the gecko find water.

Suppose you notice that the plants in a leopard gecko’s terrarium are not growing well. Using reasoning, what could be a possible effect on the gecko if the plants continue to die?

• The gecko will have more places to hide.

• The gecko might have less oxygen and fewer hiding spots.

• The gecko will eat more plants.

• The gecko will drink more water.

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You want to record how a leopard gecko depends on water in its terrarium. Which plan would best help you show this interaction?

• Draw a picture of the gecko sleeping.

• Make a chart showing when the gecko drinks from its water dish.

• Write a story about a gecko in the wild.

• Take a photo of the gecko’s food.

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Imagine you are drawing a food chain that includes a leopard gecko. Which of the following would be the best way to show how the gecko depends on other living things for food?

• Draw a picture of a gecko eating a cricket, and a cricket eating a plant.

• Draw a gecko next to a rock.

• Draw a gecko drinking water.

• Draw a gecko sleeping under a log.

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You are planning a food chain for a terrarium with a leopard gecko. Which sequence best shows how living things depend on each other for food?

• Plant → Cricket → Leopard Gecko

• Leopard Gecko → Plant → Cricket

• Cricket → Plant → Leopard Gecko

• Plant → Leopard Gecko → Cricket

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If all the crickets in a leopard gecko’s terrarium disappeared, use reasoning to explain what would likely happen to the gecko.

• The gecko would have more food.

• The gecko would have less food and might get hungry.

• The gecko would grow faster.

• The gecko would sleep more.

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You are asked to illustrate how a leopard gecko depends on other living things in a food chain. Which plan would best show this relationship?

• Draw a gecko with a water dish.

• Draw a gecko eating a cricket, and the cricket eating a leaf.

• Draw a gecko under a heat lamp.

• Draw a gecko next to a rock.

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Suppose you want to show how living and nonliving things interact in a leopard gecko’s terrarium. Which plan would best help you record these interactions?

• Make a list of all the living and nonliving things and describe how they help the gecko.

• Draw only the gecko.

• Write a story about a gecko in the wild.

• Take a photo of the gecko’s food.

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You are asked to reason about what might happen if the plants in a leopard gecko’s terrarium grow very large and cover most of the space. How could this affect the gecko and other living things in the terrarium?

• The gecko will have more places to hide, but there may be less space to move.

• The gecko will have more food to eat.

• The gecko will need less water.

• The gecko will sleep less.

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