Forestry and Natural Resources
Unit 12: Managing Predators and Non-game Species
Core Area: Forestry and Natural Resources
Unit 12: Managing Predators and Non-game Species
Lessons:
Lesson 1: Non-game Animals
Lesson 2: Endangered Species
Lesson 3: California Predators
Performance Standards:
7.6 Wildlife and Waterfowl
Students will understand the importance of wildlife including indigenous and migratory
species, their physical and behavioral characteristics, habitat, and management.
References:
Burton, D. Ecology of Fish and Wildlife. Delmar Publishers. New York. 1996.
Camp, W.G., Daugherty, T. B. Managing Our Natural Resources. Second Edition. Delmar
Publishers Inc. New York. 1991.
McCafferty, W.P. Aquatic Entomology. Science Books International. Massachusetts. 1981.
Morholt, E., Brandwein, P.F. A Sourcebook for the Biological Sciences. Third Edition. Harcourt
Brace, Jocanovich, Publishers. New York. 1986.
4012.1
Forestry and Natural Resources
Unit 12: Managing Predators and Non-game Species
Unit 12: Managing Predators and Non-game Species
Lesson 1: Non-game Animals
Duration: 2 Hours
Students will be able to:
1. Explain the value of non-game animals.
2. List some of the destructive non-game animals in California and describe the damage they
cause.
3. Discuss the methods used to control destructive non-game animals.
Suggested Activities:
12.1A Food Chain: Students are divided into teams. Each team selects a predator found in the
assigned habitat, determines the relationship of the predator to its prey in the food chain,
and predicts how its elimination would alter the population dynamics of other species
within the ecosystem. Each team member presents a written report, and the team as a
whole presents an oral report to the class.
Teaching Outline
I. Value of non-game animals
A. Can be considered valuable or objectionable as their habits of life affect human interests
B. All living forms are useful elements in the natural community
1. Building soil
2. Conserving water
3. Provides food supply for other life
C. Valuable species
1. Those that people feel are of direct use
2. In the absence of danger, people enjoy because of beauty, form and color
A. From an ecosystem perspective, all animals are valuable
II. Two types of value
A. Economic usefulness: animals that prey on insects that are harmful to human interest
1. Birds
2. Bats
3. Other insects (“beneficials”)
4. Small mammals
5. Reptiles
B. Aesthetic value: important to those that have limited access to the outdoors
III. Destructive non-game
A. Fruit and grain eating birds often justify their control
1. Large numbers nest near agriculture crop
2. Migratory flocks invade crop at harvest
B. Rodents often cause major damage
1. Feed on all parts of plants
2. Eat agricultural crops
3. Reproduce rapidly
4. Burrow into kikes and borders of irrigation decks
4012.2
Forestry and Natural Resources
Unit 12: Managing Predators and Non-game Species
5. Prevent natural reforestation
6. Examples of destructive rodents
a. Rats
b. Squirrels
c. Mice
d. Gophers
e. Voles
IV. Control methods for unwanted non-game animals
A. Biological controls
1. Changes in farming practices
2. Repellents
3. Removal/relocation of animals causing damage
B. Other control measures
1. Poison bait
2. Fumigation of burrows
3. Shotgun
4012.3