The Big ?
Why does National Geographic call the cat the Perfect Hunting Machine?
1.Directions
Use this National Geographic website to find some survival behaviors of the cat.
Print out this sheet and write your answers in the spaces provided.
Use the word processor of your choice to write the answer to the Big ? listed in the title: Why does National Geographic call the cat the Perfect Hunting Machine?
Upload and Insert your word processing document into your Quia Page
Please call the file, Perfect Hunting Machines.
Use this rubric to assess your work.
2.Questions
How does a cat's skeleton help it hunt?
The cat’s powerful bite helps it hunt because of their short jaws and lethal teeth with sharp canines. When the cat tenses up their paw muscles extend. Cat’s claws are used to tear into their prey. The cat’s lean body is stretched over long light bones to extend and flex for speed.
Why would a cat like a lioness strike a threatening pose?
Lioness uses gestures meant to intimidate scavengers that may be out to kill her.
How do the markings on a cat help them hunt?
The markings on a cat help them move undetected through light and shadows.
How can having the ability to climb improve a cat's ability to survive?
The cat’s can climb trees and hide their catches from scavengers.
How are a cat's sense of sight and hearing better than a humans?
They can move their ears like a satellite dish to hear faint sounds. They have slit-shaped pupils that allow for greater control of light admitted. The Tapetum Lucidium, a reflective layer behind the retina of all cats, bounces light back toward the optic nerves.
New York State Standards
MST #4 - Elementary Level
Describe some survival behaviors of common living specimens
ELA #3 - Elementary Level
Present arguments for certain views with reference to specific criteria that support the argument
National Educational Technology Standards
NETS #5 & #6
Use Technology resources for problem-solving, self directed learning and extended learning activities.
The Big Question!
National Geographic calls the cat the perfect hunting machine for numerous reasons. Their vision and hearing are many times better than humans and most other animals allowing them to see and hear prey. Their claws allow them to climb trees and hide their catches where other scavengers cannot reach it. Their skeletal structure enables them to run faster then many other animals. Their teeth are lethal. They can intimidate hunters with a simple stance. And finally their spotted skin allows them to move through nature undetected. All of these attributes make up a perfect hunting machine.