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ECOSYSTEMS UNIT
WEB ACTIVITY 1
RABBITS AND WOLVES
PART ONE: EXPLORE THE WEB SITE
1. Log on to http://shodor.org/interactivate-java/activities/RabbitsAndWolves/?
2. On the bottom of the page, click on View Simulation Key to see what each of the
symbols in the simulation means
3. Set forest size to medium and speed to slow.
4. Click on Start Simulation
5. Allow the simulation to progress for about 30 seconds then click on Pause
Simulation
6. On the bottom of the page click on View Population Graph , look a the graph,
then click on close graph
7. On the bottom of the page click on view cumulative stats, review the stats, then
click on return to simulator.
8. Allow the simulator to run a few more times, pause it, and review the graph and
stats again
PART TWO: COLLECT AND GRAPH DATA
1. Begin a new simulation. As the simulation progresses, pause it at least 6 times
and record the data under cumulative data on the data table below. Use this
information to complete a graph for the populations of rabbits and wolves.
2. Answer the questions on the back of this page in complete sentences.
Stage in Simulation

Number of living rabbits

Number of living wolves

RABBITS AND WOLVES EXPLORATION QUESTIONS

Directions: Use the information you learned in the Rabbits and Wolves activity as
evidence to answer the following questions.
1. What would happen if there were lots more rabbits than there were wolves?
Would the rabbits take over and live forever? Why or why not?
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2. What would happen if there were lots more wolves than there were rabbits?
Would the wolves live forever? Why or why not?
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3. How do the rabbits and wolves live in balance in this game?
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