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| Yellowstone Park Rangers holding bison skulls |
Subjects
Biology
Graphic Arts
Language Arts
Technology
Objectives
The student will
Appropriately use the following terms: predator, prey, scavenger, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, and ecosystem.
Investigate the interdependence of predators, prey, and scavengers in the Yellowstone ecosystem.
Materials
Computer and Printer Access
Markers/Crayons
Reference Books
Background
The variety and numbers of wildlife in an ecosystem is dependent in part upon the amount and type of available resources. Every animal has a niche in an ecosystem as a predator, prey, and/or scavenger. Herbivores (animals that only eat vegetation) are usually prey animals, contributing to the diets of omnivores (animals that eat both meat and vegetation) and carnivores (animals that only eat meat). In turn, carnivores and omnivores help control the population of herbivores to prevent overpopulation and depletion of available resources. Examples of herbivores in Yellowstone include deer, elk, moose, beavers, bison, pronghorn, pikas, porcupines, and marmots. Examples of carnivores in Yellowstone include cougars, wolves, lynx, bobcats, badgers, and weasels. Examples of omnivores in Yellowstone include foxes, coyotes, grizzly bear, black bear, bald eagles, osprey, and ground squirrels. The relationships between these different types of animals provide balance to an ecosystem (all living and non-living things operating together within an area).
Procedure
The instructor will
1. Ask students to define the following terms: predator, prey, scavenger, herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore. Encourage use of a dictionary, if necessary.
2. Write terms and their definitions on the blackboard.
3. Have students list examples of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores on blackboard.
4. Ask students to define each example in terms of the animal being a predator, prey, and/or scavenger.
5. Instruct students to select an animal from the list and research its diet in detail using the internet or research books.
6. Instruct students to design a restaurant menu for their animals, including restaurant name, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. They may either use computers or design by hand. Encourage students to be creative and accurate.
7. Direct students to print menus.
Assessments
Ability to define herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, predator, prey, and scavenger
Completion, accuracy, neatness, and creativeness of menus
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| Funding for this trip was provided by Canon U.S.A., Inc., through The Yellowstone Park Foundation. |
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| Web server services are funded through generous grants to The Yellowstone Park Foundation. |
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