Foiling predatorsFoiling predators

AimsAims• To explain why vertebrate herbivores To explain why vertebrate herbivores

may feed in large groups or herdsmay feed in large groups or herds• To recognise strategies that To recognise strategies that

vertebrate herbivores have to reduce vertebrate herbivores have to reduce predationpredation

Which animals do these Which animals do these collective nouns belong to?collective nouns belong to?

• Eg Flock of...Eg Flock of...• HerdHerd• ShoalShoal• PridePride• TroopTroop• TowerTower• SmackSmack• MischiefMischief

• SheepSheep• AntelopeAntelope• FishFish• LionsLions• BaboonsBaboons• GiraffesGiraffes• JellyfishJellyfish• MiceMice

Your turn to find out…Your turn to find out…• How do herbivores avoid carnivores? How do herbivores avoid carnivores? • Why don’t zebras run away at the first sign Why don’t zebras run away at the first sign

of a predator? of a predator? • How do herds operate? How do herds operate? • Which animals control the herd? Which animals control the herd? • Is there a hierarchy within the herd? Is there a hierarchy within the herd? • Which individuals will get killed, and how Which individuals will get killed, and how

does this help the herd to survive? does this help the herd to survive? • What are the advantages and What are the advantages and

disadvantages of group behaviour? disadvantages of group behaviour?

Why are animals found in Why are animals found in groups?groups?• Protection in Protection in

numbersnumbers• Zebra’s stripes Zebra’s stripes

dazzle and confuse dazzle and confuse predatorspredators

• Zebras at the edge Zebras at the edge of the herd are of the herd are caught, the rest caught, the rest are safeare safe

Why are animals found in large Why are animals found in large groups?groups?

• Many pairs of eyes Many pairs of eyes are better for are better for looking out for looking out for predators than one predators than one pairpair

• More time can be More time can be spent on feeding spent on feeding rather than on rather than on looking aroundlooking around

An evolutionary strategyAn evolutionary strategy• Individuals which Individuals which

‘herd’ are more ‘herd’ are more likely to survive, so likely to survive, so this trait is passed this trait is passed on to the next on to the next generationgeneration

Is there safety in Is there safety in numbers?numbers?

Look at the following pictures Look at the following pictures of prey. What strategies do of prey. What strategies do they employ to deter they employ to deter predators?predators?

AnswersAnswers• Moth – pattern to look like eyesMoth – pattern to look like eyes• Fly – yellow and black stripes to look like Fly – yellow and black stripes to look like

a wasp/beea wasp/bee• Stick insect – camouflageStick insect – camouflage• Rabbit – eyes positioned for 360 degree Rabbit – eyes positioned for 360 degree

visionvision• Antelope – long legs to run fast and horns Antelope – long legs to run fast and horns • Skunk – smelly!Skunk – smelly!