Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    robbyann's Avatar
    robbyann Posts: 16, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Oct 10, 2008, 09:53 PM
    Prey that was to become extinct? What would happen to the predator?
    :confused:Say that any prey no matter what was completely extinct, what would happen to it's predator? Would it eventually become devasting to the whole animal kingdom? Please help me someone I can't find any info anywhere!
    spyderglass's Avatar
    spyderglass Posts: 434, Reputation: 34
    Full Member
     
    #2

    Oct 10, 2008, 09:59 PM

    Well the predator would have to find another resource (food). Else it would also become extinct.
    robbyann's Avatar
    robbyann Posts: 16, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Oct 10, 2008, 10:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by spyderglass View Post
    Well the predator would have to find another resource (food). Else it would also become extinct.
    Thank you, that was my exact thought but I wanted to see if anyone else was thought the same thing. Again thank you.

    Sincerely,
    Robin
    asking's Avatar
    asking Posts: 2,673, Reputation: 660
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    Oct 13, 2008, 09:14 PM

    It would depend on the predator. Most predators eat lots of different food animals and can switch easily from one to another. But if a main food source dies out, they can be severely impacted. A few predators are specialists that would probably go extinct without their specific food. For example, anteaters prey on ants and are specialized to eat ants. They wouldn't be able to easily switch to something else and get enough to eat. They would probably go extinct without ants.

    A black bear also eats ants, but even if ants went extinct, they could still eat grass, berries, bees, honey, yellow jackets, and all the other things they normally eat.
    Capuchin's Avatar
    Capuchin Posts: 5,255, Reputation: 656
    Uber Member
     
    #5

    Oct 14, 2008, 04:14 AM

    Humans of course are probably the ultimate example of this. For example even if cows went extinct for some reason, we have plenty of other prey to sustain us.
    asking's Avatar
    asking Posts: 2,673, Reputation: 660
    Ultra Member
     
    #6

    Oct 14, 2008, 07:45 AM

    And of course, humans can thrive on a vegetarian diet if we need to or choose too. Especially if supplemented with a handful of bugs now and then.
    Unknown008's Avatar
    Unknown008 Posts: 8,076, Reputation: 723
    Uber Member
     
    #7

    Oct 14, 2008, 07:56 AM

    And if also the predator fed onto two different species of animals, when the first become extinct, the predator will feed only on the second prey. Then that second prey will can go extinct, then the predators will follow, if it doesn't find another source of food.
    Capuchin's Avatar
    Capuchin Posts: 5,255, Reputation: 656
    Uber Member
     
    #8

    Oct 15, 2008, 08:17 AM

    Expanding slightly on what asking said, this of course could be a driving force for evolution. If one of the main prey of a species becomes extinct for whatever reason, then the predators might evolve to use other food sources. (Individual predators that cannot adapt will be more likely to die, leaving only ones that are able to find other food sources)
    Wildlife007's Avatar
    Wildlife007 Posts: 13, Reputation: 2
    New Member
     
    #9

    Jan 9, 2009, 08:06 PM

    A perfect example of evolving to take advantage of available prey/food sources-Darwins Finchs and the absolutely astonishing diving Marine Iguana. They are sort of a specialty-niche filler. The downside of specialty feeders-they don't have the ability physically to adapt as quickly at the same speed that their world is changing. Who ever thought we would live long enough to see dumpster diving Polar Bear's -due to shrinking ice?

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Predator concret jungle I can't find it [ 2 Answers ]

Were can I find predator concrete jungle for ps2 in saskatoon I've been looking for it for years for my little cousin were can I get it help

Species you consider should be extinct. [ 47 Answers ]

If you had to exterminate three types of animals -which ones would they be? None is not an answer so please! Humans are not part of the choice. What criteria would you use? Me? I'd get rid of parasitic worms, snakes and rats. BTW I was tempted to say the chimp based on its nasty...

Magic creams... extinct? [ 8 Answers ]

I heard from a friend that all Magic creams ie; amira, jameela, pervil will become extinct in the coming weeks , months. I heard that one of their Distributors in the Philippines did something that sends a red flag to FDA and now they are banned from bringing these products in US. Is this true??...


View more questions Search