Lab Simulation: Predator-Prey Interaction

Lab: A Simulation of Predator-Prey Interaction

           Objective: The objective of this exercise is to see the link between predators and prey when different variables are introduced.

            Hypothesis: The more rabbits readily available, the greater chance there is for more Lynx offspring since the Lynx has an adequate supply of rabbits to survive.

                           *Setup of my lab simulation with my rabbits and Lynx ready

                              *1st Generation of Rabbits: 3 Rabbits for every 1 Lynx

                                 *Continuing my simulation for every generation

Procedure: In the 1^st generation of rabbits, I began with 1 Lynx and 3 rabbits in my 12 X 12 square and tossed the Lynx into the square, catching 1 rabbit. Since the Lynx has to catch 3 rabbits to survive and produce offspring, the Lynx did not survive. I continued to do this the first several times, and my results were close the same, with little to no Lynx surviving. After each generation, the number of rabbits left after the Lynx attempt to catch them doubles, so the number gets greater, giving the Lynx a greater chance to survive and produce offspring. After each set, I doubled the number of rabbits remaining by 2. Between generations 5 through 8, the number of rabbits increases, as well as the number of Lynx, which gave almost every Lynx in those generations the ability to survive and reproduce. Between generations 9 through 16, that data I collected showed that the number of rabbits steadily begins to decrease, leaving more Lynx to starve and not be able to produce offspring. In the last generation, the number of rabbits is at a high level once again and several more offspring are produced, increasing the need for rabbits once again. 

Questions:

1. Keep in mind that, as in any simulation, certain assumptions are made and many variables overlooked. What sort of variables could subject a natural population to pressure or disturbance? Name five.

    1. Overpopulation of another species

    2. Food supply or lack thereof

    3. Under-population of species

    4. Predator Influence on Population

    5. Environmental Changes

2. What might be the outcome if the lynx was exterminated? 

    If the lynx population was exterminated, there would be an overpopulation of rabbits, which could harm the environment just as well.

3. What patterns did you observe?

     The patterns I observed were when there was an abundant supply of rabbits, there was also a greater chance for Lynx to reproduce, but on the flip side, when there was a great amount of Lynx, the chance for all of them to survive was smaller. I observed that there were several factors that were dependent on Lynx survival in this simulation. For example, if the rabbits were further apart from another, it would make it difficult for the Lynx to catch 3 rabbits. If the rabbits were in the same area, the chance would be much greater. I decided to make the simulation as even as possible, but in something like this, the data can vary.

Conclusion: From this simulation and the patterns that I observed, I concluded that when there is a greater food supply available to predators, those predators’ will have a greater chance of survival and reproduction. When the rabbit supply was low, and there were a lot of Lynx, many of the Lynx would not survive given the circumstances. This lab simulation has helped me better understand how certain animals survive in their ecosystem, and what can happen if their needs are not met.