The Lion King and Science

Name______Period ______Date______

The Lion King and Science

Part I. You will need to watch the movie to answer these questions. You may also need your notes.

1. First define biodiversity. What is the biodiversity of the Pride Lands? To answer this correctly, write the name of each character that you see in the movie. Include what type of animal they are.

2. What is the importance of biodiversity in the ecosystem at the Pride lands? Use your notes.

3. What does Mufasa mean by the circle of life? Draw a diagram that shows the circle of life. Represent

it this way: sun –> producer –> primary consumer –> secondary consumer-> decomposer

3. Why do you think that the lion (Mufasa) is known as the “king”?

4. Animals say that they are dangling at the bottom of the food chain. What do they mean by this?

5. What do you think the word “Pride” refers to in this movie?

6. What was the problem with the hyenas moving into the Pride Lands? What happened to the biodiversity

when this happened?

7. What does Rafiki catch from the air? What does this tell him?

8. Mufasa tells Simba “Remember who you are. You must take your place in the circle of life.” What is

Simba’s place in the circle of life?

9. What does Simba say he is running from? What does Rafiki teach him? How does he teach it to him?

10. What happens to the Pride Lands when Simba defeats Scar? What happens to the biodiversity of the

land? How do you know this?

11. During the movie, the water at Pride Rock dries up. Then after it catches on fire, rain falls to replenish

the environment. Explain the grassland requirements that occurred at Pride Rock.

Part II. You will need to use Part I and notes to answer these questions.

1. Name three carnivores from the movie. What type of consumers are they?

2. Name at least two herbivores. Why are they herbivores?

3. Are there any omnivores in the movie? If so name them.

4. Name two primary consumers.

5. Name three heterotrophs from the movie (use character names please). Why are they heterotrophs?

6. Name two autotrophs that you see in the movie.

7. Name five animals that use aerobic cellular respiration to live? How do you know they use aerobic

respiration?

8. Name one character that was decomposed (even though you don’t see the process) during the movie.

9. Name scavengers in the movie.

10. Explain the ecological succession that takes place after Pride Rock burns to the ground. Use your notes

to explain the process.

11. Name two species that are in competition for survival during the movie. What are they competing for?

12. Make a food web using at least half of the characters.