Predator and Prey

• Established plant food and water stations
• Several different ink stamps
• Arm bands (Red, Blue and Yellow)
• A whistle

Have the students define the terms “predator” and “prey”, then list some general differences in physical characteristics. Discuss how the sun is the source of all energy on the planet. In the natural world, what is able to turn sunlight directly into food? Plants! And plants are at the base of the food chain. From here, discuss the relationships between the animals, whether they are herbivores (plant eaters), omnivores (plant and meat), or carnivores (meat only), and their roles in the food chain – top predator, mid-level predator, or prey. Note: Not all mid-level predators are omnivores. Next, have students identify the four basic needs - food, air, water, and shelter. (Since we are dealing with creatures living within their own natural ecosystems, we will assume that air and shelter are both available.) In the game, the students will be looking for food and water. Would an herbivore need the same amount of food and water as a top predator? No. So, all animals have different needs…

This activity is best played outdoors in a large space with a variety of habitats (ie. open field, forested, and sheltered). Establish several locations as food and water posts by placing a stamp at each and possibly a sign to indicate food or water. Prepare 7 food stations and 4 water stations (more or less depending on group size). Don’t reveal to your participants the locations of these stations. They must find them.

1. The goal of this game is to survive! Participants will have to collect the food and water they need in order to stay alive until the end of the game, however they will have different food and water requirements than one another.
2. The group will be split into 3 groups. The groups that you must have are Herbivores, Omnivores, and Carnivores. For every Carnivore, aim for two Omnivores and three Herbivores.
   
   - Herbivores start with 5 blue arm bands. They must find 6 different plant food stations and stamp their life card with the stamps at each station. They must also collect 2 water stamps.
   - Omnivores start with 4 yellow arm bands. They must find 8 food items through one of two ways: plant food stations or by hunting herbivores. They must also collect 4 water stamps.
   - Carnivores start with 2 red arm bands. They must collect 10 food credits, but because they only eat meat, they have to get all their food from hunting herbivores or omnivores. Just like the omnivores they must sneak up on their prey and tag them. They must also collect 6 water stamps. 
3. In order for Omnivores and Carnivores to hunt, they must sneak up on their prey and tag them. The tagged prey must give one of their own arm bands to the predator, not one they have collected.
4. First send out the Herbivores. A few minutes later, the Omnivores, and another few minutes later, the Carnivores. Some tips for each group:
   
   - Herbivores have less food and water to collect than the others because they tend to be smaller and require less, but they have to pay special attention to not getting eaten.
   - Omnivores have more options in terms of where to get their food, from stations or from herbivores, which is a natural advantage over the herbivores, but they still need to stay away from carnivores.
   - Carnivores don’t have any predators, but they require the most food and water because they tend to be larger and expend more energy hunting. If their food, the herbivores and omnivores, are good at hiding or running away, they can starve!
   
   
5. Play until the facilitator ends the games (with three long whistle blasts). Even if participants collect all the food they need, they still need to play to survive to the end.