exercise 4 - news.hselspark.co.za

EXERCISE 4

Page 49

Interactions and interdependencies


1.1 Eat plants as well as meat. Omnivore

1.2 Ruminants Herbivore

1.3 Recycles dead plant and animal material.

Decomposer

1.4 Consumers that speed up the decomposition process.

Detritivore

1.5 Hunt other animals. Predator

1 Give one word for the following consumers:

1.6 Spiders that only catch insects.

Insectivore

1.7 Vultures Scavenger

1.8 Python Carnivore/predator

1.9 Baboon Omnivore

1.10 Leopard Carnivore/predator


2. Look at the following pictures and divide the animals into their appropriate groups. (Note: Some animals could be in more than one group.)


Herbivore: cow Carnivore: lion; jackal; owl Omnivore: baboon; pig; ant Predator: lion; owl; jackal Scavenger: jackal Insectivore: ant eater Detritivore: millipede


3. What is the difference between predators and other carnivores?

A predator is a carnivore that hunts other animals for food. An ordinary carnivore does not hunt for food, but will steal food or take it as bait.


4. The ostrich is an omnivore that feeds on various seeds, plant material and insects. The strangest fact about their diet is that they swallow small stones.

Find out what important part stones play in an ostrich’s digestive system.


As with any other bird, ostriches do not have teeth. Since they swallow large pieces of food, they need extra help to ensure better digestion. Swallowing stones helps them to grind the food in their stomachs so that it is easier to digest.


5 Give at least two examples of the following: 5.1 Carnivores that eat other carnivores. Eagles eat snakes. Sometimes crocodiles catch lions, leopards and other carnivores.

5.2 Omnivores that eat carnivores. People eat crocodile meat. People eat octopus (calamari).


5.3 Carnivores that eat omnivores. Leopards eat baboons. Pythons sometimes catch small baboons. You will have to do some research to answer the following two questions:


6. Give a simple explanation on how ruminants’ digestive systems are adapted to ensure survival.

A ruminant’s stomach is divided into four parts: 1. Rumen: This part of the ruminant’s stomach has

microorganisms in it which makes it possible for the animal to digest fibre and synthesise nutrients.


2. Reticulum: This part of the stomach moves food from the rumen

into the omasum. It is also this part of the stomach that moves cuds back

to the animal’s mouth, where the food is ruminated and once again swallowed.

The reticulum also stores any harmful substances that the animal may have eaten, e.g. nails and wire.


3. Omasum: The cud is broken down and digested further. This part is the filter of the digestive system. All fluids are removed from the cud here.


4. Abomasum: This part of the stomach corresponds to any other

animal’s stomach. Food is finally digested by the animal and nutrients

are passed through into the bloodstream. Any harmful bacteria are destroyed. Thereafter the remains are passed to the intestines.


7. Most people find it difficult to differentiate between the white rhino and black rhino. We can differentiate between them in respect of their diet.

Briefly explain how both these animals’ bodies are adapted for their specific diet. Use the table below to help you:


White rhinoceros Black rhinoceros

Diet

Grass

Leaves and bark


White rhinoceros Black rhinoceros

Mouth

Broad and flat Eases the intake of large amounts of grass.

Sharp and narrow Eases the picking of leaves and bark from trees.

Posture

Face points downwards. Can feed on grass easier.

Face points upwards. Can reach tree leaves easier.


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