Feeding Adaptations Learning Objectives To know how some animals are adapted to feeding. To describe at least two general adaptations of predators and prey. To explain the differences between herbivore and carnivore adaptations for feeding. KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Key Word Splat!
Key Word Splat! Carnivore Scavenger Predator Adaptation Omnivore Read the definitions and ask students to shout / splat the correct word. Carnivore: Animals which eat other animals. Meat-eaters. Herbivore: Animals which only eat plants. Omnivore: Animals which eat animals and plants. Predator: Animals which hunt other animals. These are carnivore species. Prey: Animals which are hunted by other animals. Often herbivores. Carnivores may be prey for larger carnivores. Scavenger: An animal which steals and eats other animals kills. Omnivore Herbivore Prey
Predators PREDATORS are animals which hunt and feed on other animals. The animals they hunt are their PREY. Predators have adaptations that allow them to catch to catch their prey. Animals which eat other animals are called CARNIVORES. They use their senses to find their prey. KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Red Fox Forward facing eyes help with judging distance Large ears for listening to prey Fur to keep warm Sharp teeth for ripping prey Long legs for quick movement KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Badger Ears lay flat for digging. Sensitive for listening to prey. Forward facing eyes help with judging distance Fur to keep warm Sharp teeth Claws for digging for prey KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Prey PREY is the name we give to animals which have other animals above them in the food chain, and are eaten by carnivores. Many prey are HERBIVORES, although some carnivores are prey to larger carnivores. Prey animals need to use their senses to detect predators, and their adaptations to hide or escape from them. KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Fallow Deer Antlers for defence Tough tongue for stripping leaves from shrubs Eyes on side of the head, for greater peripheral vision Mottled fur for camouflage Long legs for escaping predators KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Hare Brown fur for warmth and camouflage Large ears for hearing predators Eyes on the side of the head, for good peripheral vision Long legs to move quickly KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Herbivore Adaptations HERBIVORES are animals which feed only on plants. Herbivores use their senses to find food – sight, smell and touch. Many herbivores also have special adaptations for feeding - for example, birds beaks are different shapes and sizes depending on their food source. KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
For searching in sand for shellfish Bird Beaks - Adaptations Flat beak For sifting Thick, strong beak For crushing seeds Long, pointed beak For searching in sand for shellfish KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Investigating Beak Shape You are going to see how beak size effects the type of seed a bird can eat. You have two ‘birds’ : Pointed beak Flat beak PREDICTION Do you think the pointed beak or the flat beak will be better for collecting seeds? Why? KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Method Did your results match your hypothesis? Take one type of beak. One person is going to be the bird. In one minute, they must collect as many seeds as they can and put them into the beaker. Organise all the seeds into groups of same seed type, and record the number of seeds in your table. Repeat your experiment using the other beak type. Did your results match your hypothesis? KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Results Type of seed Pointed beak Flat beak Pumpkin seed Cress seed Sunflower seed TOTAL KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Design an Alien You are going to design an alien. Your design MUST: Give an explanation of the environment where it is found Identify how the creature is adapted to its environment / to feed Your design SHOULD: Explain how its adaptations help it to survive / to feed KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation
Alien Environments These images could be used to give students structure for their Alien designs. KEY WORDS: Carnivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Predator, Prey, Adaptation