Predator/Prey

This lab is a simulation of the changes in populations of Owls and Mice as a result of predation. Students simulate the predation effect by throwning paper owls onto a population of mice to see which ones are "eaten" and then record these changes in their lab book.

Please find a copy of the pre-lab handout in the attachment section below. Use the data found in the table below and copy into the data table in your lab book

Please construct a Hypothesis using the "If....then.....because" template.

SAMPLE Conclusion

The purpose of this laboratory activity was to investigate the interaction between predators (owls) and prey (mice). The growth of the mice population directly affects the prey population as seen on the graph between generations 6 through 10. This increase in prey population led to an increase in the predator population at generation 9-10. The predator population's increase was due to an increase in natality. The effect to the prey population was an increase in mortality and this is an example of a limiting factor in a population. Both populations were "limited" in their growth because of this interaction (predation). It is because of the predator /prey relationship that both owls and mice are able survive in the habitat without exceeding the carrying capacity and destroying their environment.