Name:
Period:
Prey vs. Predator
Lab Makeup
Introduction
All organisms have characteristics that enable them to live in certain environments. Some traits
are better suited to particular environments. Due to natural selection, these traits are favored more
often since they allow organisms to survive better and pass along those genes to their offspring. In this
lab, we will observe the adaptations of particular organisms to their environment, and how well the prey
can survive from being eaten by predators. The adaptation we will be exploring is camouflage, and each
type of bean represents a different type of prey.
 Each student will graph his own prey/predator data. (see Analysis section.) However,
the Discussion Questions may be answered with the help of other group members.
 From the data table given to you below, graph the predator vs. prey ratio.
Then answer the questions.
Generation Prey type

Write your Moth
type here
1
3
Predator
type
Bat
Total prey
eaten
Prey
Survivors
Predator Predator Predator
Deaths
Survivors Offspring
1
2
1
0
1
0
2
3
1
0
3
1
0
0
3
6
1
2
4
0
1
0
4
8
1
4
4
0
1
1
5
8
2
4
4
0
2
0
6
8
2
6
2
0
2
2
7
4
4
1
3
4
0
0
8
6
1
3
3
0
1
1
9
6
2
2
4
1
1
0
10
8
1
2
6
0
1
0
11
12
1
6
6
0
1
2
12
12
3
4
8
2
1
1
13
16
2
4
12
1
1
1
14
24
2
6
18
0
2
2
15
36
4
12
24
0
4
3
Analysis:
Graph the data in the table for all 15 generations using the appropriate type of graph. Place the
predator and prey data (first two columns) on the same graph so that the relationship between predator
and prey can be more easily seen. Label the y axis “Number of animals” and the x axis “Generations.”
Graph
Discussion Questions:
1. Did some species of “prey” survive and produce more offspring in your group’s
environment than other prey in the same environment?
2. How did the survival of the prey relate to what adaptations (i.e. color of the bean) they
may have had?
3. After graphing the data, explain the relationship between predators and prey. Be
specific.
4. Did the prey species that survived and produced the most offspring in one’s group
environment survive and produce the most offspring in another group’s environment?
Why or why not?
5. How does natural selection affect which types of prey survive in an environment?