In this game students assume the role of “predator” and must locate appropriate prey items that have been placed throughout the room. Predators include: bobcat, Marsh Hawk, alligator, bullfrog, kingsnake, and praying mantis. Prey species include snakes, frogs, mice, fish, insects, and rabbits. Students will “stalk”, “kill”, and “eat” as many prey as they can in five minutes. Individual predator successes can be compared and concepts related to food quality, energy allocation, and prey adaptations can be discussed.
Predator species cards are printed on letter-sized paper and placed in plastic page protectors for durability. "Predators" wear the cards around their necks to remind them which prey species they must locate during the game. Predators must "kill" and "eat" certain numbers of specific prey items to "survive" (see game instructions). Predators that cannot find enough of their designated prey species must go to the "compost pile."
