<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Natural sciences

Ecosystems and the environmental balance

Educator section

Memorandum

Assignment 11:

  • Lion
  • Blue whale (largest mammal)
  • Bat
  • Pangolin and hedgehog

What do you remember?

(i) An ecosystem is formed by all the living organisms that have a mutual influence on one another and on their environment

(ii) air; water; sun and soil

(iii) organism – matter – energy

(iv) plants (producer); caterpillars (primary consumers); birds (secondary consumers)

(iv) horse; elephant

(vi) Carnivores are meat eaters and herbivores are plant eaters

Leaner section

Content

Activity: to distinguish between herbivores, carnivores and omnivores [lo 1.2, lo 2.1, lo 2.2]

3. MACROCONSUMERS

(a) HERBIVORES

They eat seed-pods, grass, leaves and vegetables. They do not eat meat and therefore do not hunt. Instead, they are hunted by carnivores. Their bodies are adapted to suit their way of life and feeding habits.

They have large ears and can hear exceptionally well. Some of them have stripes (e.g. kudu, nyala, zebra, etc.) to camouflage themselves. Many carnivores only see shades of grey, black and white. As carnivores do not distinguish between colours, kudu and other buck can remain safe while they stand quite still when danger threatens.

Most plant-eaters have very good eye-sight, with the eyes set at the sides of the head, which gives them a wide field of vision. They also have a good sense of smell. Herbivores (e.g. kudu, rabbits, hares, locusts, springbuck, sheep, etc.) are constantly on guard against danger!

Assignment 11

Write a short report on one of the above-mentioned animals, describing its ears, eyes, sense of smell, food and enemies.

MY REPORT ON THE . . .

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

EDUCATOR’S ASSESSMENT

CRITERIA 1 2 3 4
Research done correctly _____ _____ _____ _____
Data meaningful _____ _____ _____ _____
Reporting complete _____ _____ _____ _____

(b) CARNIVORES

The largest group of carnivores are mammals, which include the cat family (wild cats, lions, leopards, tigers and domestic cats) and the dog family (wolves, foxes, jackals, wild dogs and domestic dogs).

They are hunters and can only eat once they have caught their prey (not the domestic dog). Carnivores hear and smell well and have strong, pointed jaws to snap at their prey and tear off chunks of flesh easily. Their eyes are situated in the front of their heads, so they can focus well and judge distance very accurately. They also have strong legs that enable them to be fast and agile when chasing their prey. They can run fast for long distances, without tiring.

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Natural sciences grade 6. OpenStax CNX. Sep 16, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11079/1.1
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Natural sciences grade 6' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask