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Marion Island is the only location in the world where fur seals (Arctocephalus spp.) pursue and kill penguins as large as King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) on land - NSC Marine Sciences - Question 5 - 2024 - Paper 2
Question 5
Marion Island is the only location in the world where fur seals (Arctocephalus spp.) pursue and kill penguins as large as King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) on ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Marion Island is the only location in the world where fur seals (Arctocephalus spp.) pursue and kill penguins as large as King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) on land - NSC Marine Sciences - Question 5 - 2024 - Paper 2
Step 1
The feeding behaviour of seals on Marion Island is unique. Describe how fur seals generally hunt.
Answer
Fur seals hunt primarily in the ocean, utilizing their agility and hydrodynamic body shape to pursue fast-moving prey. They are able to effectively use their front flippers to steer and navigate, which facilitates the catching of prey in a dynamic environment. Their speed and maneuverability are key advantages when hunting.
Step 2
Explain why it is easier for seals to catch penguins on land.
Answer
It is easier for seals to catch penguins on land due to their inherent physical advantages. Fur seals are significantly faster and more agile than penguins when on solid ground. Penguins, in contrast, are not built for rapid movement on land, having shorter limbs and a waddle that limits their agility. This disparity allows seals to easily pursue and catch penguins when they are on land.
Step 3
Describe how the penguins would have hunted the fish that the seals obtain from the penguins' stomachs.
Answer
Penguins hunt fish using a combination of swimming skills and diving ability. They are adept at swimming swiftly underwater and can dive to target schools of fish effectively. Their sharp beaks are adapted to grasp slippery prey, and they use a strategy of forming groups to encircle fish, making it easier for them to catch their meals.
Step 4
Discuss the sense organs of the seals that the penguins could damage while defending themselves AND how this may affect the seals' ability to hunt.
Answer
Fur seals possess highly developed sense organs, including sensitive whiskers that help them navigate and detect prey in murky water. However, if a penguin were to damage these whiskers during an encounter, it could severely impair the seal's hunting abilities. Additionally, seals rely on their keen eyesight to locate prey both underwater and on land; damage to their eyes could diminish their ability to spot food, further jeopardizing their survival.
Step 5
Give your opinion on why these seals have started hunting penguins on land.
Answer
The seals may have started hunting penguins on land due to a decrease in their traditional food sources in the ocean, driven possibly by overfishing or environmental changes. This situation forces them to adapt their hunting strategies, leading to the unfortunate predation of penguins as an alternative food source. The competitive advantage that seals have on land further incentivizes this behavior, allowing them to exploit new opportunities for survival.