Predator-Prey Lab Simulation

Objectives: Simulate the interaction between a predator population of Lynx and a prey population of rabbits in a meadow. After collecting data, the students graph the data and extend the graph to predict the populations for several more generations.

Background: Before performing this simulation students should be able to define a food chain, population, immigration, predator and prey

Materials: 1- 7.5 cm index card square (lynx) about 250 2.56 cm paper squares (rabbits) a 61 cm square section of table top (the meadow) data table and graph paper

Procedure: 1. Distribute 3 rabbits in the meadow

2. Toss the lynx square once in an effort to catch a rabbit. The lynx is not allowed to skid and rabbits should be distributed around the meadow. The lynx must catch 3 rabbits to survive and also reproduce. This will not happen in generation 1.

3. Complete the data table for Generation 1. The lynx will starve, no new baby lynx will be born and the remaining rabbits will double in generation 2. See table below (do not write this table on write up)

Generation / Rabbits / Lynx / Rabbits
Caught / Lynx
Starved / Lynx
Surviving / New Baby
Lynx / Rabbits
Left
1 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 2

4. Begin generation 2 with double the number of rabbits remaining from generation 1 and a new lynx that has immigrated into the meadow. See table below for example (do not write table on procedures)

Generation / Rabbits / Lynx / Rabbits
Caught / Lynx
Starved / Lynx
Surviving / New Baby
Lynx / Rabbits
Left
1 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 2
2 / 4 / 1

5. Eventually the rabbit population increases to the level that allows the lynx to catch 3 rabbits in a single toss. If the lynx catches 3 rabbits it survives and reproduces. Therefore, if the lynx catches 6 rabbits it will reproduce twice. Lynx are not allowed to cheat but try to make them efficient. Stupid lynx result in an overabundance of rabbits.

6. As the number of lynx increases throw the lynx card once for each lynx. Remove the rabbits from the meadow after each toss and try to catch as many rabbits with the next toss.

7. There are always at least 3 rabbits at the beginning of each generation. If the entire rabbit population is wiped out, 3 new rabbits will immigrate into the meadow.

8. Remember the number of rabbits in the meadow needs to be correct at all times. Remove rabbits caught add new ones as indicated by your data table.

9. Model at least 16 generations and predict nine more generations on the data table for a total of 25 generations. Graph the results as described below the data table.