Question

Why do predator populations follow the cycles of prey populations?A. The predators spend so much time around their prey they begin to have similar birthingrates.B. The predators carefully note how much prey remains and only have as many offspringas they can feed.C. It is unknown why predator populations follow the cycles of prey, but many scientistsare studying it.D. Because, as the amount of prey declines there is not enough food for all of thepredators, and their population declines as well.

Answer 1

Ecology: Predation

Predator populations are often smaller than the ones of their prey because each predator needs to eat more than one prey. This also means that the predators' numbers depend on the prey number, if the prey population increases, there is more food available for predators, and if the prey population decreases, there is not enough food for the predators.

This means that the right answer is D. Because, as the amount of prey declines there is not enough food for all of the

predators, and their population declines as well.