INTERACTION AMONG LIVING THINGS

ANIMAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN GROUP

Giraffe, dolphin 2 – 12

Hippopotamus 10 – 15

Wolf , lion 2 – 25

Elephant 2 – 29

Ostrich 5 – 50

Chimpanzee` 40 - 60

Some of the animals live in small groups and some of them live in large group.

Some insects live in organised groups of colonies such as ant, honey bees and termites. They are call social insects.

The social insects have specific job to carry out for their colonies.

1. For ProtectionThe animals want to protect themselves from the predator so they are able to detect the enemies and protect themselves.

2. Easier looking for foodWhen the animals work as a team, it is easy to find food. They are hunting more successfully.

3. In caring for the youngThey are cooperating with each other to take care of the young.

4. Defending their territoryThe female lions of a group aggressively defend their hunting grounds and water hole.

Animals live in solitude are called solitary animals.

They live alone except for mating or rearing young.

Examples : tiger, giant panda, orang-utans, snow leopard, bears, skunks, woodpeckers and snakes.

To avoid competition of food, nesting sites or space (territory).

Easily to move around quietly without attracting attention.

Competition is part of interaction among living things.

Competition exist among plants, animals and between plants and animals.

It is also exist among the similar animals and different animals.

Competition become intense when number of organisms increase.

Same animals live in the same habitat will compete for food.

Animals that lose will not get the food.

they will be thin and weak and later die for hunger.

This happen during drought season or limited water sources such as deserts.

Animals that lose have to look for other water sources or die of thirst.

The animals will fight with each other to get the mate.

The animals that lose have to look at other female or miss a chance to reproduce that season.

An animals territory (space) provide animals with food, water, mate and shelter.

Animal will try their best to defend its territory against other animals with the same kind.

The compete to get the territory by fighting. The lose one will be forced to leave and look for another place.

Plants need sunlight to make food. There are many ways the plant will use to get

sunlight. Some grow taller, some climb from other tree

Plants absorb water and nutrients from the soil through the root.

Some has long roots to absorb water Some has extensive roots to absorb water.

Plants grow in overcrowded place compete for space

The effect if the plant did not get enough space, the plant will become smaller and unhealthy. They do not get enough sunlight, water and nutrient.

They usually disperse their seeds and fruits far away to avoid competition of space

Many animals already become extinct. Examples ; dinosaurs, woody mammoth,

dado, aquagga Many species of animals and plants are now

facing the danger of becoming extinct. Examples of endangered animals : Malayan

Tapir, wrinkled hornbill, ‘orang utan’, tiger, panda bear, sun bear, rhinoceros, ‘seladang’ and proboscis monkey.

Example s of endangered plants : rafflesia, pitcher plant, wild orchids, shorea

1.Defrorestrationhuman cuts tree for logging and development

2. Excessive and illegal huntingThe human hunted the animals for food, to make clothes, for sport or the animals killed other animals. Illegal hunting also called poaching. They killed the animals to get part of the body such as fur, horn and skin.

3. Pollution and collections of eggs also may cause the animals to extinct

Animals Reason being endangered

Dugong Excessive hunting for food and hide

Asian elephant, gorilla, orang utan

Deforestation

African elephant Illegal hunting for tusk

Tiger Deforestation, excessive hunting for sport, illegal hunting for skin and head

Blue whale Excessive hunting for food and fat

Rhinoceros Deforestation, illegal hunting for horn

Snow leopard Illegal hunting for fur

Leatherback turtle Collection of eggs for sale

1. Conservation of endangered animals and plants- create the protecting area such as national parks, forest reserves and wild sanctuaries.- create the conservation area such as The Sepilok Orang Utan in Sabah, turtle hatchery.

2. Carrying out selective cutting in logging3. New seed plants after timbering.4. Carrying campaign against excessive logging.5. Avoid consuming or buying product made from

endangered animals 6. Enforcing the law to protect the animals.7. Educating the public about the importance of

conserving animals and plants.