Dragonfly’s great flying agility helps it avoid predators. Bullfrog lies in wait for insects to land near or on water surface, uses surprise to catch prey unaware. Predator/prey strategies: Flying in a swarm provides some safety for mosquitos because a predator has trouble singling one out to capture. The bullfrog leaps out, extending its sticky tongue, but the dragonfly darts away just in time. The dragonfly settles on a cattail to rest. From below, the lurking bullfrog catches sight of the dragonfly. A nearby dragonfly dashes in and tries to catch a mosquito, but they scatter and it misses. Swarm of mosquitos buzz around a small pond, while a large bullfrog sits beneath a clump of cattails. Optional props: mouse ears, forked snake tongue. Big eyes help mice catch sight of slightest movement jumping ability helps mice escape. Predator/prey strategies: Snake picks up odors from the air with its tongue, lies in ambush for its prey. The snake pulls back its head to strike, but the mice see the movement just in time and jump away unharmed. The mice hop back, stopping to eat seeds. Rattlesnake flicks its tongue in and out of its mouth as it tests the air. White-footed mice come hopping along a trail. After each skit, ask the audience what strategy the predator used to capture its prey and the prey to escape its hunter. Have a narrator read the script while students perform, or students can do these as pantomimes. Provide nametags or costumes to identify the different animals in the skit. The skits depict different kinds of predators and their prey. They will rehearse and act out vignettes about animal life in the wild. Have children work in small groups and give each a Look Out! Scenario card. Objective: To model some behavioral adaptations that help predators and prey survive. Then ask them to share what they were thinking as they were imagining life as their character. Objective: To begin to explore and ask questions about predators and prey.Īsk children to take a moment to imagine or act out being either a stalking cat or a squirrel alert to danger. The physical and behavioral characteristics of predators and prey reflect their needs and ways of life. Prey animals must forage for food cautiously, always on the lookout for predators.

Predators must find their prey, chase and catch it, subdue it if it fights back, and eat it. FOCUS: Both predators and prey need to eat, but they face different challenges in getting their food.

Predator vs prey eyes activity