Predators and prey in a food chain
I can identify and name predators and prey in food chains.
Predators and prey in a food chain
I can identify and name predators and prey in food chains.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- An animal that eats mostly meat or the flesh of other animals is a carnivore.
- A predator is an animal that hunts, kills and eats other animals.
- Some animals do not have any predators of their own. These animals are at the top of a food chain.
- An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal is called prey.
- Many animals are both predator and prey.
Common misconception
Pupils often think that all animals in a food chain are predators, or that all carnivores are predators.
Some animals can be carnivores but not predators. These animals are scavengers because they eat meat from animals they have found or that have been killed by other animals.
Keywords
Food chain - A food chain shows how living things depend on each other for food.
Consumer - A consumer in a food chain is an animal which eats other animals or plants.
Carnivore - A carnivore is an animal that eats meat or the flesh of animals.
Predator - A predator is an animal that hunts, kills and eats other animals.
Prey - An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal is called prey.
Equipment
Pupils may wish to draw their food chains so will need access to pens, pencils, rulers and paper.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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