St Francis Field Trip: Adaptations: Africa Plains

St Francis Field Trip: Adaptations: Africa Plains

Student Sheet

An adaptation any inherited feature that helps an animal to survive and reproduce in the environment in which it lives (its habitat). Adaptations may be physical, behavioral, or physiological. Today we are going to look at adaptations to answer the question, “How can the Serengeti support multiple carnivores?”

Fill out the following table to determine differences in carnivores.

Species
Add scientific names / Close relatives / Prey items / Group Size / Hunting Strategy / Head relative size & shape
African Wild Dog
______
Spotted Hyena
______
African Lion
______

Conclusion: How can one habitat support so many carnivore species?

St Francis Field Trip: Adaptations: Africa Plains

Teacher Sheet

The niche overlap for these species is large but there are small differences that prevent direct competition and allow them to survive in the same environment. Differences in hunting strategy are the most apparent. Though the hunting strategies are alluded in the graphics please see information below to assist students in completing the table.

Helpful hints for the hunting strategy column:

African Wild Dogs are able to capture the largest prey items because of their highly cooperative hunting strategy in large packs. They will also supplement their diet with small rodents.

Hyenas prefer to hunt large groups of prey and target specific members of the herd. They will also supplement their diet with carrion.

Lions prefer to hunt at night & in groups and prefer small groups of prey.

Helpful hints for the Head relative size & shape column:

A broad jaw is an indicator of jaw strength – large, powerful jaw muscles enable predators like hyenas to crush bone. Of the three carnivores observed the Hyena has the most powerful jaw followed by the African Wild Dog and Lion. Encourage students to focus on relative size and not absolute.