Bobcat Out Hunting

The bobcat appears to be out hunting near a creek. Being part of a group can help animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. However, some animals survive well living in solitude.

If animals survive well by living in groups, why is this bobcat hunting alone? 

• What can you infer about the time of day or location the bobcat is hunting?
• How might the prey of the bobcat affect their living style?
• What arguments can you make for an animal to live in groups versus living independently?

Students could:

• Research the benefits of living independently versus living with a group, They could make a list of pros and cons of each.
• Discuss reasons why being nocturnal is beneficial. 
• Engage in a debate over species that live in groups versus species that live independently.

• The Wonder of Science | Animal Groups: The site contains many lesson plans, videos, and additional activities to support the 3-LS2-1 standard. 
• PBS LearningMedia | Nature: Arctic Wolf Cubs Learn Pack Behavior: this video shows how young cubs must learn the rules of their pack and submit to older group members in order to survive. Support materials ask students to keep a spy journal to record their observations and to think about how the spy wolf is able to witness pack behavior closer up than a human scientist