2023 - THE FINAL HERD!

WHO WILL BE THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION OF MARCH ANIMAL MADNESS?

Which animal is the MOST important in its environment/niche?

Good Luck to all! Happy learning!

VOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!

All animals presented in alpahbetical order

African Lion

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

Dear Zebras,

We, the African Lions, got in the competition again through the zombie pick and would like you to know we are the best animals in the niche. Top predators in the jungle and the best in the niche, double score. We are essential in maintaining big herbivore populations including you, the zebras. We are the structure of our ecosystem and if we get removed our entire ecosystem would break down. Beat that huh. Us kings keep an equal amount of animals in our desert to balance out the herd populations.

If huge predators like us would vanish, herd populations would increase rapidly. Imagine having no lions in our world. Such a boring world right? Nothing to symbolize strength. Animals such as grazers would chew up all the grass making the Savanna a dry, sandy dessert. With the food chain getting disturbed, deer along with other herbivores that are fed by us lions, will rise in numbers leading to a shortage of plants and will lead to death of all animals. These animals are Hyena, Impala, Buffalo, Wildebeest, and yes even you guys. You are only living because of us, well for now. Haha. Let’s make a deal, we’ll let you guys survive if you help us win this March Animal Madness competition by voting for us, convinced yet? If not, keep reading.

We, the amazing lions, are the most powerful in our niche. We are the only ones that symbolize strength and you do not want to mess with us. When we like you we treat you with care but when we don’t you better run. *Cough Cough* or should I say “Roar Roar”. I was joking, we have a bet and please stick with your words. You will not find ANY animal like us. We are one of a kind and deserve to be the winner. After all we are the KING OF THE JUNGLE. Please vote for us. Thank you.

From the one and only KING LION.

Kermode Bear

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

I’VE MADE IT! Thanks to all the people who wanted me back as the zombie pick I am now back from the grave and ready to compete in The Final Herd (said dramatically). To win The Final Herd I need to prove to you that I am the most important animal in my niche. That can't be that hard… Right?

I guess you might need to know what a niche is first. A niche is defined as the role that an animal plays in its environment.

When it comes to kermode bears, our niche is very broad. It may seem easy being at the top of the food chain but that's the furthest thing from the truth. Sometimes I feel that I am single handedly holding up my entire ecosystem. Without me the scavenger animals (birds, raccoons, foxes and more) would find it a lot harder to find food. You see, sometimes I don’t finish all of the fish I catch so I just drop it on the ground and keep walking. Maybe an hour or so later a raccoon will come along and eat that leftover fish. If I don’t leave that fish then the raccoon doesn't eat, the raccoon dies. That's no big deal right? Wr! The predators of the raccoon can’t find food now and they die and it goes up the food chain until the ecosystem is destroyed. Hundreds of animals would die.

My role in the niche doesn’t stop there, not by a long shot. I can alter my landscape better than anyone. You might be asking what that means, it means that I can change the way my habit looks and functions. My sharp claws and my unbelievably strong legs help me to terrorize my prey as they hide in their dens. I can make quick work of any tree stump that I come across, and I can dispatch the termites inside just as easily.

If this doesn't prove to you that I am indeed the most important animal in my niche, then I don’t know what will. I mean what other animal can impact their ecosystem so much? You all have the chance to be a part of the greatest comeback story ever. It's a Cinderella story, and only you can make it happen.

King Cobra

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

A King Cobra makes other snakes disappear out of the world. It eats other venomous snakes which keeps the population down. Meaning, there are less venomous snakes because of the King Cobra. If the King Cobra was taken out of the world, there will be so many venomous snakes because it can’t eat them. Just like how the King Cobra takes snakes out of the world, I was taken out of March Animal Madness. I need you amazing snake lovers to help me, King Cobra, get back into the competition. King Cobra 4 life!

If the King Cobra was gone, it would really affect the mongoose. It will be a good thing for the King Cobra because no mongoose can attack it and they can live their life freely with no enemy in their way. For the mongoose, it’ll be bad because they need the King Cobra. The mongoose eats the King Cobra when it needs to. It will be harder for the mongoose to find food if it’s gone. But where will it go if it needs the King Cobra? No where. Which is why the King Cobra is important to the mongoose.

King Cobra can in fact affect humans. Yes, us. Some people rely on King Cobras as it’s their job. So if it goes away, humans can lose their jobs. King Cobra affects many humans and animals by leaving. The reason why it’s the most important animal in its niche is because it helps grow the population of other snakes and the mongoose will find difficulty in finding food to eat. I mean, the mongoose does kind of deserve it, especially after everything it did to the King Cobra. I know you guys don’t want humans to lose their jobs, so vote for King Cobra. If you don’t, the King Cobra will leave and humans will be jobless. Vote for the smartest snake in the world, and get me back in.

Meerkat

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

Meerkats are small carnivorous mammals that belong to the mongoose family,They are primarily found in the Kalahari desert in southern africa and are known for their unique social behavior and extraordinary survival skills.In this essay we will argue that Meerkats are the most popular and important animals in their niche and March animal madness which is why they deserve to be revived in the zombie pick

Meerkats are incredible for a variety of reasons, including their behavior. Although they are little, they are incredibly cunning despite their size. Due to their small size, they are constantly hunted by larger prey like jackals and eagles. Their size is what makes them seem like easy prey. Their size is what makes them seem like easy prey. To compensate for that, they live in groups called mobs and look after each other.

Similar to humans, they alternate taking care of and educating their young. While there are many differences between Meerkats and humans, there are also some similarities. For example, unlike humans, Meerkats actively consume their food rather than storing it. This is very important for their niche because it keeps the population of insects they eat under control, they act sort of like pest control.

If Meerkats were to suddenly vanish from their niche,the insects that meerkats preyed upon would have a sudden increase in their population because there would be no one to control their population anymore.And their predators wouldn't have a source of food if Meerkats didn’t exist. I think I have stated enough factors to prove that Meerkats are the most popular and important animals in their niche.

Moon Jellyfish

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

Six hundred and fifty million years later, yet our oceans are still being roamed by these interesting creatures. Moon jellyfish- no brain, no heart, no lungs, no blood but that doesn’t matter. Short, delicate, and thin tentacles and ruffled oral arms dangling from their bell with flower looking gonads at the center. Their species don't just cover our waters with beauty but also surround the ocean as a source of survival for other organisms. These creatures may be simple but they play a vital role in their environment. They are a valuable food source, and a provider of specific nutrients for other organisms which is why they are an essential part of their niche.

No moon jellyfish, then what about the other ocean creatures that prey on them? The leatherback turtles and ocean sunfishes that feast on this animal and depend on it for their survival. If these jellyfish were removed from their plate they would no longer have one of their main diets. If moon jellyfish cease to exist, their predators might as well die along with them.

Zooplankton and fish larvae are moon jellyfish prey but this animal is not that greedy with their food. Leftovers are a main meal for some other organisms as they feed on these grubs and thrive on the waste of moon jellyfish. Moon jellyfish provide specific nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that is transported throughout the oceans and is important for other animals' survival. You can almost call these invertebrates a recycling machine- takes food in and gives food out back to its ecosystem.

Symbiosis; a relationship between two animals. Moon jellyfish share a type of symbiotic relation called commensalism with small creatures, in which oftentimes moon jellyfish aren’t harmed by the others’ company. Amphipods for example swim close to the tentacles of moon jellyfish for a source of protection. This way, no larger predators will be able to get to them.

With all the small creatures surrounding these moon jellies, it also means they have consumers to eat after their leftovers.

If moon jellyfish were out of the picture, what about the population of other animals? It's essential for moon jellies to feed on specific organisms so that these species don't overrun our waters. When no moon jellies remain, the population of zooplankton gets out of hand due to a lack of immediate threat and sufficient predators ready to hunt them. This results in a major loss of vegetation in the area as the zooplankton species feed on the plants underwater. They are a crucial key to help control and maintain the balance of other organisms' populations. This is highly important for other organisms as it helps ensure that other species aren’t over or under populated. It allows for a healthier environment which isn’t too deprived of its resources to the point where there’s little to no life left.

Moon jellyfish; elegant and mysterious. Their lives do not result in laziness nor ignorance. Instead, they work hard even in silence to maintain a balanced and healthy ecosystem, becoming a vital source for animals to live. Without moon jellyfishes, the environment for all life would be unmanageable, unbearable, and practically unsurvivable. The lives of organisms dependent on moon jellies would be doomed. A loss of predators, foodsource, nutrients, and life. These unique creatures are of least concern for now, but the world changes till there will be a time where these jellyfish may no longer exist. I can’t imagine a world where these magnificent six million year old creatures failed to survive in the world.

But they aren’t close to that point yet because with your help, they have made it this far in the competition already. You know and I know that they are just as worthy to stand here along with these other animals. Your vote matters to help our animal reign in March Animal Madness. To prove that their actions speak more about their looks and name, make us the winner of this year's battle and crown us the kings of the water.

Moose

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

Vacations, Habitats, and Niches were ruined because of a lack of moose!? Why you shouldn’t overlook the importance of mooses in their niche.

After a tedious road trip, you finally arrive at your cabin in Banff. You can’t wait to escape the compacted car with your obnoxious siblings. While observing the area, you notice how lush it is dense with various plants. “Wait, why are there spots of snow on the driveway?” your sister asked. Then you realize that this isn’t snow.T-T-This is bird poop! Your eyes widen in horror as you notice feces all over the place. “Not only is this place overgrown, but smelly,” you mutter, “can’t they afford a gardener? Whatever, it’s not like wolves or bears are hiding behind the trees.” News states that because of a decrease in moose, wolves and bears have been dying out. At least you wouldn’t have to worry about potential danger. As you haul your bag out of the car, all you can think about is how cold it is. As you are about to enter the cabin, something familiar grabs your attention. Could it be?! These animals have been rarer to find. This animal has adapted to survive the cold. Certainly, they are the king of the north. The moose. The scenario we described is a world without the one and only moose. Moose are essential animals to their niche, and without their existence, there would be a disruption in the food web, forests, and vegetation communities would change.

You were beginning to become cold, so you entered the cabin and observed the moose from inside. As you admire the view and the moose, you are grateful that you won’t encounter a bear or wolf during the family hike later. Although the absence of these predators makes you feel safe, a lack of predators would disrupt the food web. As the primary consumers in their niche, moose are crucial for bears and wolves. Bears and wolves depend on these big animals for energy and food. Without moose, their predators will slowly die out, and other prey are over-abundant, causing doom to the niche. Without the moose, bears and wolves would starve to death. Other prey, like elk or deer, would damage local plants by overeating, thus, disrupting the food web.

Earlier, you observed how overgrown the forest was. As a result of fewer moose, their roles as gardeners that keep plant populations under control, have been disregarded. As a herbivore, moose feed on producers (plants) such as grass, leaves, and bark. As a result of their diet, moose shape the landscape of a forest and keep the plant population under control. Without the moose, there would be too many plants and the forest would become overcrowded! Thus, plants have to compete with each other for food like nitrogen and other necessary nutrients. These nutrients are consumed faster when more plants are in an area leading other plants to die due to the competitiveness and limited supply. Also, other herbivores would go on an eating frenzy and that means even more feces outside the cabin-horrible! Having too many plants and having too little plants is horrible to the environment. Plants reduce erosion, but fewer plants allow harmful sediments and nutrients to enter into water sources through erosion. That’s why the moose’s role as a gardener is crucial to their niche because they keep plant populations under control, and keep the forest around your cabin neat.

In conclusion, moose are significant animals in their niche. The moose controls the plant population by consuming them. This allows moose to survive, and maintain good health, while also being an important food source and promoting balance within their food web. Without the moose, there would be a disruption in the food web. The physical environment and niche would spiral out of control. Moose play a significant role as the primary consumer in the niche, and their influence within their habitat shouldn’t be overlooked. Overall, moose are critical animals within their niche and have a lasting impact.

So, what are you waiting for? The moose is back, and we are ready for a comeback! Vote the King of the North, and the Pride of Norway and Canada, your friendly gardener, the Moose!

Qinling Panda

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

Dear voters,

Why are we still here? Why has no one beaten us? The answer, we are better, and we keep other animals alive. We help the golden snub-nosed monkey live by keeping the bamboo forests at bay, and stop it from taking over all their land. But the golden snub-nosed monkey is not the only one that relies on our eating skills. The Takins and Snow Leopards also need us to survive, but it's not just our ability to eat for 12 hours a day and keep the bamboo forests tidy that keep other animals alive. Our beautiful bodies keep animals like the Snow Leopard, Jackals, and Yellow Throated Marten from starvation. If you were to look down on the Qinling mountains from the sky, you would see the bamboo forests that we keep nice and neat.

We are so cute and cuddly, and because of that, we bring attention to our niche and make the government put more and more money into us and all the other animals that live with us. We don't need them, they need us, but the problem with so many animals relying on you for survival is that if you go extinct, you are killing so many other animals, and that is exactly what is happening now. We, the Qinling pandas, are dying from metal toxins that are seeping into the soil and eventually the bamboo we depend on, and if we go down so do all the animals we keep alive.

That is why we are the most important animals in our niche, but if you humans keep building your factories, increasing pollution and destroying our land we will not be able to help all those other animals that live with us, and we could all die before you know it. And you don't want that, so vote for us to help all Qinling pandas, and all the other animals we keep alive from going extinct.

Sincerely, Noah the Qinling panda

VOTING!

-THE FINAL HERD -

Why am I the MOST important animal in my ecosystem?

Choose your animal carefully...you are selecting the organism

whose description BEST answers the question!

Happy learning!

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