Competition In Animals Flashcards
Why do animals compete and who do they compete against
They live with other organisms from the same or different species.
There are only limited resources
So they have to compete for things they need
Best adapted win most resources
Usually avoid competition with other species
Competition with same species is most intense
What doc animals compete for
Food
Territory
Mates
Explain competition for food amongst herbivores
Many species of herbivores eat same plant types eg grass
More varied diet offers more chance of survival
Eg Pandas only eat bamboo so vulnerable to other animals that eat bamboo as well as anything that harms bamboo eg disease, floods
Explain competition amongst carnivores
Compete for prey eg mice eaten by many species.
Carnivores compete with own species and other species
Some adapted with long legs to run fast and sharp eyes to spot prey.
These advantageous features passed on to their offspring
How do prey animals compete with each other
They compete to be the one that isn’t caught by the predator
They are adapted to help prevent becoming prey
Eg some contain poison to make predators sick and
Warning colours so predators know to avoid them
Eg Costa Rican poison dart frog warn off predators
What impact can the introduction of a new species mean
A new herbivore can reduce the plant material available for other animals eg rabbit introduced in Australia caused many extinct species
Explain the impact of competition for territory
A territory maybe for just a nest or maybe an area for food and reproduction
Most animals need territory to reproduce successfully so they compete for best spaces - includes enough food for them and their young
Eg small birds, blue tits - number of territories in area depends on food supply
Territories often marked with urine or faeces
Explain the need for competition for a mate
Males compete to win privilege to mate with female
Eg deers, lions, seals, males fight between themselves and winner mates with several females
Many males display to get attention eg peacock feathers and green basilisk lizard colours
What makes a successful competitor
Successful is better adapted to find food and mate than other member of same species
Also better food finder the other local species
Also able to breed successfully
Why do some animals avoid competition
They may feed in a way or type of food that other animals avoid
Eg many species can eat one plant without being in competition
Caterpillars eat leaves, greenfly drink sap, butterflies suck nectar, beetles feed on pollen
2 adaptations and advantage for an animal that hunts small mammals eg mice
1 sharp eyes to spot small prey
2 long or strong legs for quick movement
2 adaptations and advantages of animal that eats grass
1 special type to teeth to pull and grind grass
2 special digestive system eg 2nd stomach to digest grass
2 adaptations and advantages fro animal hunted by many different predators
1 prey animal may be poisonous to make predators sick and have warning colours
2 eyes high in their head to see predators even when they are eating grass
2 adaptations for animal eating tender leaves at top of trees
1 long neck to reach leaves
2 special grinding teeth to chew leaves
