Adaptations of predators and prey | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

A ______ is an organism which is hunted as food by a predator.
- 'prey' ✓
The image below shows a food chain diagram. Which organism is the apex predator?
- squid
- shark ✓
- phytoplankton
- zooplankton
- shrimp
How many predators are there in the following food chain diagram?
- one
- two
- three ✓
- more than three
Complete the sentence. A ______ is an organism that makes its own food.
- 'producer' ✓
Look at the food chain diagram from a desert. Match the organism with the correct statement.
- cactus
  
  ⇔
  
  is neither predator or prey ✓
- wood rat
  
  ⇔
  
  is prey ✓
- rattlesnake
  
  ⇔
  
  is predator and prey ✓
- hawk
  
  ⇔
  
  is an apex predator ✓
Blackbirds are predators of slugs. Slugs are prey of blackbirds. What will happen to the population of blackbirds if there is a very large population of slugs?
- The blackbird population will increase. ✓
- The blackbird population will stay the same.
- The blackbird population will decrease.

Exit quiz

The picture shows a lizard. Which of the following are adaptations that help the lizard to avoid being eaten by predators.
- eyes at the side of the head ✓
- warning colouration
- eye spots
- camouflage ✓
How many predators are there in the following food chain diagram?
- 'two' ✓
The insect in the photo is bright red and black. Which adaptations might this insect have to stop predators from eating it?
- It may taste unpleasant. ✓
- It may be easily spotted by predators.
- It may give off a nasty smell. ✓
- It may be camouflaged.
Match the adaptation to how it helps prey to avoid predators.
- Camouflage
  
  ⇔
  
  Helps prey to blend into the surroundings. ✓
- Eyes on the side of the head
  
  ⇔
  
  Helps to detect movement from a wider area. ✓
- Mimicry
  
  ⇔
  
  They appear to be another organism that may be poisonous. ✓
- Eye spots
  
  ⇔
  
  May be used to startle a predator or deflect an attack. ✓
- Spines
  
  ⇔
  
  May make it difficult for the predator to attack the prey. ✓
Use the information to put the following organisms in a food chain. Lettuces produce their own food. Cats are apex predators. Thrushes are predators of slugs. Thrushes are prey of cats.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  lettuce
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  slug
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  thrush
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  cat
Match how the adaptation of predators helps them to catch prey.
- Striped fur
  
  ⇔
  
  Helps the predator remain camouflaged to creep up on prey. ✓
- Sharp teeth
  
  ⇔
  
  Helps the predator to grab and kill the prey. ✓
- Good eyesight
  
  ⇔
  
  Helps the predator to judge distance. ✓
- Muscular legs
  
  ⇔
  
  Helps the predator to run quickly to catch prey. ✓

Worksheet

Loading worksheet ...

Presentation

Loading presentation ...

Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

Prey have adaptations to help them avoid being hunted, and predators are adapted to help them capture prey.
Some common adaptations of prey animals are that they have good camouflage or that they are nocturnal.
Some common adaptations of predators are big teeth, good eyesight and the ability to run fast.

Common misconception

Organisms are able to adapt to the place where they live.

Referring to inheritance, explain that changes to organisms take time to evolve - responses to any environmental change is not instant.

Keywords

Prey - A prey is an animal that is caught and eaten by another animal.
Predator - A predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals.
Adaptation - An adaptation is a feature that organisms have to help them live in a particular place.
Camouflage - Camouflage is a strategy that organisms use to disguise their appearance, usually by blending in with their surroundings.