“The Lion King”
An Ecological Study
After watching the movie, respond to each of the following questions. All final responses
must be typed. Questions # 1 – 4 refer to the movie as a whole. You will need to be
careful to make notes throughout the entire movie in order to accurately answer these
questions. Questions # 5 – 10 refer to specific scenes. Be careful not to miss the answers
to these questions as you watch. You may sing along and use this paper for notes
throughout the movie.
1) Identify a food chain consisting of organisms in the movie. Include at least three
organisms and be sure to identify which organism is the producer, first level
consumer and secondary level consumer. In addition, state the nutritional
modality of the consumers (Is it an herbivore, carnivore, etc.) [9]
2) Make a list of as many organisms as you can identify that contributed to a
balanced ecosystem in an around Pride Rock. Categorize the organisms by their
nutritional modality (producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer).
You must have at least fifteen organisms to earn full credit. [30]
3) Identify three biotic factors and three abiotic factors you witnessed in the movie.
[6]
4) During the movie Simba is in three different biomes. Identify the three biomes
and describe characteristics of the biome that allowed you to identify it. [6]
5) In the opening scene Scar is about to consume a mouse. What type of relationship
does scar and the mouse have? [1]
6) During a lion and cub moment, Mufasa says to Simba, “Everything you see exists
together in a delicate balance…..respect all creatures”. How can this quote be
related to the concept of the food web, pyramid of energy, and/or the pyramid of
numbers? What could happen if this balance is not respected? Indicate a scene in
the movie that is an example of this loss of balance. [3]
7) In an attempt to explain the Circle of Life, Mufasa says to Simba; “when we die
our bodies become the grass……the antelope eat the grass……” How is this
possible? Describe the process that Mufasa is referring to in detail. Specifically
explain what organisms play a role in this process. [2]
8) When Simba falls from exhaustion after running away from Pride Rock, Vultures
begin to encircle him. What nutritional role do these vultures play in the
ecosystem? [1]
9) Pumba asks Simba “What’s eating you?” Timone jokes, “Nothing, he’s at the top
of the food chain!” What does Timone mean? What is one advantage and one
disadvantage of being at the top of the food chain? [3]
10) When Simba is staring up into the stars at the image of his father, Mufusa says
“You are more than what you have become….remember who you are….you must
take your place in the circle of life”. What is the significance of this statement
from an ecological perspective? [1]