Predator and Prey Simulation Lab

A predator is an animal that obtains energy and nutrients by

consuming other organisms. A fox is an example of a third order
consumer and predator. A prey animal is consumed by a
predator. A rabbit is an example of an animal that is prey for the fox.
The size of predator and prey populations can change
with the seasons. Biologists sometimes need to know
the sizes of certain predator and prey populations. They
can sample the population by trapping and or counting
the animals. The results of the samplings change as the populations
change.

Objectives:
In this exercise, you will:
Set up a model of predator and prey populations.
Observe changes in the population of both predator and prey.
Construct a graph showing results.

The Matsumura farm has not had people living on it since June of 1979. An
interstate highway was put through the middle of the farm to make room to
accommodate the increased traffic due to new developments. Now there are only
100 acres of land left on this farm. In April of 2008, two biologists wanted to find
out how the fox and rabbit populations were changing on the farm. They counted
rabbits by trapping them and releasing them. They counted foxes by looking for
them with binoculars because the foxes would not go near the traps. They
trapped and released 23 rabbits. The saw two foxes.

Procedure:
1. Read report about animals on the Matsumura Farm
2. Place 92 kidney beans (Rabbits) and 8 Black eyed peas (Foxes) in a brown
paper bag.
3. Shake bag.
4. Without looking pick 25 beans from bag (25% population sample).
 5. Return all beans to the bag. Adjust population of foxes and rabbits by
directions indicated in (Table 1). You will add and subtract beans based on
(Table 1). You will conduct seven repetitions of the experiment.
6. Use word to make a data table to identify number of animals counted (Table
2).
7. Using excel graph the population changes of both fox and rabbit
populations. Use different colors to graph each animal. Print Graph
8. Use word to create a table displaying sample size (n), standard deviation
(SD) and mean.

Population changes Table 1:

Sampling Date Rabbits (Kidney Beans)
April 2008 92
October 2008 Remove 10 rabbits. Winter was
harsh and food supply was
limited due to lack of
precipitation that resulted in
fewer autotrophs. Many rabbits
died.
Foxes (Black Eyed Peas)
8
Add 2 foxes. Foxes also ate
pheasants so the number of
foxes increased.

October 2009 Add 15 rabbits. Food was Add 2 foxes. Foxes had larger
plentiful. More rabbits litter numbers that usual.
immigrated to the area.

April 2010 Remove 8 rabbit. Many rabbits Remove 3 foxes. Food levels
died from disease. where low so some foxes
emigrated.

October 2010 Add 12 brown beans. Spring Remove 4 foxes because of the
came early. Rabbits could breed rabbit disease few foxes could
earlier. survive.

April 2011 No Change Add 8 white beans. Food was

plentiful. Foxes immigrated to
the area.

October 2011 Remove 14 rabbits. Hunters Remove 2 white beans, hunters

killed pheasants in the area so shot some foxes.
the foxes ate more rabbits.

Data Table 2: Used to collect raw data

Data of Population Rabbit Population Size Fox Population Size
Survey (N) (N)
April 2008
October 2008
October 2009
April 2010
October 2010
April 2011
October 2011

Analysis Questions

1. Generate a table displaying the data generated during population sampling.

Table should include n, mean and SD. Please include a written description.
2. Generate a graph displaying the average sample size observed. Please
include a written description.
3. Which animals was the predator and which was the prey?
4. List three limiting factors that affected the rabbit population.
5. List three limiting factors that affected the fox population.
6. What was the maximum carrying capacity observed in this ecosystem by
the rabbits?
7. List two factors that helped increase the rabbit population.
8. What would happen to the rabbit population if there was a decrease in the
pheasant population?
9. Compare and contrast immigration and emigration.
10.What is the scientific term used to describe the pheasant moving into the
James Hyde farm?
11.What scientific term is used to describe the pheasants moving away from
the Matsumura farm?
12.Compare and contrast r-strategy and k-strategy reproduction.
13.Which organism in this activity is the best example of reproduction using r-
strategy?
 Predator Prey Activity
Table 1: The table of above shows the number of foxes and rabbits sampled over a five year period on
the Matsumura Farm. n= the population size for rabbits and foxes.

Type of Organism n=100 mean SD

71017Fox 8 3 1.3
Rabbit 92 22 2.7

Figure 1: The graph above shows the average number of foxes and rabbits sampled over a seven year
period on the Matsumura Farm.