Rain and Seasons
Why is rain important for animals in the Serengeti?
It helps grass grow, which provides food.
What happens when the grass dries up?
Food runs out and animals must move.
What is the name of this yearly animal movement?
The Great Migration.
What is an ecosystem?
A system of living and nonliving things that work together.
How could people affect the migration in the Serengeti?
By building roads, farms, or fences that block animal paths.
What happens to wildebeest when rain patterns change?
They must change their migration route or timing.
Why is food called a “driving force” of migration?
Because it causes animals to move in search of survival resources.
What are some dangers wildebeest face on their journey?
Crocodiles, predators, drought, exhaustion.
How do wildebeest help plants grow?
They spread seeds and fertilize soil with waste.
Why do scientists worry about climate change in the Serengeti?
It can change rainfall patterns and disrupt migration.
How could too much rain harm animals instead of helping them?
It could flood feeding areas or cause disease.
If the grass grows faster one year, how could that affect migration?
The herds might stay longer before moving on.
How do zebras and gazelles benefit from traveling with wildebeest?
They share protection and follow similar food sources.
What could happen to predators if wildebeest disappeared?
Predator numbers would drop from lack of food.
How can protecting migration routes help humans too?
It supports tourism, food chains, and the economy.
How do wildebeest “know” where to go when the season changes?
They follow patterns of rain, smell, and herd movement learned over time.
How is the migration like a test of survival?
Animals must balance energy use, hunger, and danger while traveling.
What might happen if part of the migration route were blocked?
Animals might die, or the ecosystem balance could change.
Why does every animal depend on plants, even carnivores?
Because all energy starts with plants that make food from sunlight.
If rainfall decreases over time, what might happen to the ecosystem?
Less grass, fewer herbivores, and fewer predators.
Why do scientists call rain a “limiting factor”?
Because it limits how much grass and life can exist in an area.
How does food availability connect the lives of herbivores and predators?
Herbivores follow grass, and predators follow
Why is migration considered a cycle and not a one-time trip?
It repeats each year following rain and food patterns.
How does the migration keep the Serengeti ecosystem balanced?
It prevents overgrazing and supports new plant growth.
What could people do to help protect migrating animals?
Create wildlife corridors, limit farming near routes, or conserve water.