Animal Diets and Adaptations

Holly Grand explains how scientists determine animal diets by examining tooth shapes and analyzing stomach contents. The video focuses on two fish species, alligator gar and black drum, to predict their diets. Hypotheses are formed based on tooth shape, and dissections are conducted to test these hypotheses. The study reveals that alligator gar are carnivores, while black drum are omnivores, highlighting the importance of empirical testing in scientific studies.

What is the primary goal of the Coastal Fisheries Division?

• To increase fish populations

• To manage coastal resources sustainably

• To study freshwater ecosystems

• To promote recreational fishing

How can scientists predict an animal's diet?

• By observing their habitat

• By studying their behavior

• By analyzing their tooth shape

• By measuring their size

What type of teeth do dolphins have?

• Curved and smooth

• Small and rounded

• Flat and broad

• Sharp and pointy

Where can alligator gar be found?

• In freshwater and estuaries

• Only in deep ocean waters

• In mountain streams

• Only in saltwater

What is unique about the black drum's teeth?

• They are transparent

• They are located in the throat

• They are extremely sharp

• They are used for filtering water

What hypothesis was made about the alligator gar's diet?

• It is a scavenger

• It is a carnivore

• It is an herbivore

• It is an omnivore

What was found in the alligator gar's stomach?

• Only plants

• Fish and crabs

• Algae and snails

• Shrimp and bivalves

What was the conclusion about the black drum's diet?

• It is a filter feeder

• It is omnivorous

• It is strictly carnivorous

• It is strictly herbivorous

What type of food do black drum use their teeth to crush?

• Hard-shelled animals

• Small fish

• Floating algae

• Soft plants

Why is it beneficial to have an incorrect hypothesis?

• It confirms existing knowledge

• It leads to new discoveries

• It saves time and resources

• It simplifies the research process