Predator-Prey Strategies

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Questions and Answers

What primarily limits a generalist predator's choice of prey?

The experience of the predator in hunting

Energy used to catch prey and calorie gain (correct)

The number of predators in the area

The time of year and weather conditions

What factor controls the population size of owls, according to the information provided?

Competition with other predators

Abundance of prey species alone

Seasonal changes in climate

Availability of territories (correct)

How do climatic factors affect lion populations in the Serengeti?

They regulate the birth rates of the prey species

They determine the number of available mates

They control survival during dry seasons (correct)

They cause migrations to new territories

What happens to a predator's feeding behavior when a particular prey type becomes abundant?

The predator will prioritize that prey type. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical response of a predator when the population of its primary prey species is reduced?

The predator will switch to a secondary prey species. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of energy maximisers among predators?

They require frequent catching of food. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes time minimizers in predator strategies?

They spend little energy and can survive with minimal food. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a specialist predator?

They focus on a small number of prey and become highly efficient at catching them. Signup and view all the answers

Which predator relies primarily on snowshoe hares for its diet?

Canadian lynx Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy strategy do active hunters use?

Energy maximization Signup and view all the answers

How do antlions catch their prey?

By waiting in ambush in pits. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do lynxes have on snowshoe hare populations?

Lynxes control hare populations, causing oscillations. Signup and view all the answers

Which predator is considered a key predator for controlling prey populations?

Canadian lynx Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor that allows different predator species to coexist?

Specialization in hunting methods Signup and view all the answers

Which predator uses its speed to specialize in catching prey?

Cheetah Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of group living for prey animals?

Improved predator detection Signup and view all the answers

How do crows utilize group defense against predators?

They attack the predator collectively Signup and view all the answers

What hunting strategy do hunting dogs use to catch large prey?

Running until the prey collapses Signup and view all the answers

Which prey strategy is NOT mentioned as a way to reduce predation?

Camouflaging with surroundings Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic allows zebras to effectively participate in group defense?

Exceptional eyesight Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of group living for prey animals?

Higher competition for food Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Predator Strategies and Prey Populations

Predator strategies vary in the energy used for hunting, categorized as energy maximizers (high energy) and time minimizers (low energy)
Energy maximizers actively hunt their prey, requiring frequent catches to replenish energy
Time minimizers are inactive predators who wait for prey to come to them
Time minimizers use little energy and must be adaptable
Predators also vary in the number of prey types they consume, categorized into specialists (few prey types) and generalists (many prey types)
Specialists feed on a limited number of prey, maximizing efficiency in finding and catching that specific prey
Generalists feed on a large variety of prey, limiting their choice due to energy expenditure and prey size.

Prey Strategies

Prey employ various strategies to evade predators and maintain population numbers
Prey with highly developed senses are better able to detect predators from a distance
Speed is a crucial defensive mechanism for some prey species
Hiding is a common defensive strategy
Some prey possess defense mechanisms like being poisonous or venomous
Group living, such as herds or flocks, can enhance predator avoidance due to increased predator detection capabilities.

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator and prey populations often fluctuate in cycles
Lynx and snowshoe hare populations show a notable 9-11 year cycle
Prey abundance often influences predator population size. If a prey population crashes, so will its predator
A predator may switch to a different prey if its primary prey becomes scarce
Competition between predators can lead to specialization of hunting strategies
Different hunting strategies can allow coexistence of predators.

Prey Population Abundance

Generalist predators are influenced by factors other than prey abundance, such as territory availability and survival during unfavorable seasons (e.g., dry season).
Prey abundance can affect the predator's food choice, with predators concentrating their efforts on the most abundant prey types.

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Description

This quiz explores the various strategies employed by predators and prey populations in nature. It covers the differences between energy maximizers and time minimizers among predators, as well as specialists and generalists. Additionally, it examines how prey species have adapted to evade their predators.