Why Animals Live in Groups

Science · Ecosystems & Habitats · ages 8-9

Name ______________________ Date ____________

A group of wolves is called a herd.
Circle one: True False
What do we call a group of zebras living together?
- A herd
- A pack
- A school
Which of these animals usually lives and hunts alone?
- Eagle
- Wolf
- Zebra
What do we call a group of fish swimming together?
- A herd
- A school
- A colony
Why do zebras stay together in a herd?
- More eyes can watch for lions
- It helps the herd run faster
- It keeps the zebras warmer
Why do fish swim together in a school?
- It lets each fish hunt alone
- Many eyes can spot a hungry shark sooner
- It helps the water stay warmer
Which of these is NOT a way a group helps animals survive?
- Watching for danger together
- Finding food together
- Growing thicker fur
Animals that live alone, like eagles, cannot survive.
Circle one: True False
Zara says, 'Elephants are big and strong, so a herd does not help them survive.' Which argument shows Zara why the herd matters?
- Zara is right, big animals never need any help
- Elephants only stay together because they eat the same grass
- Even a strong elephant is safer in a herd, because many grown elephants watch for danger together
Ben says, 'One fish alone is just as safe as a whole school, because it can swim away fast.' What is wrong with Ben's idea?
- Fish in a school are never in any danger
- A school has many eyes watching at once, so danger is spotted sooner than one fish could spot it
- Ben is right, swimming fast is all a fish needs

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

False · A group of wolves is called a pack. A herd is for animals like zebras and elephants.
A herd · Zebras live together in a group called a herd.
Eagle · Eagles usually live and hunt alone or in pairs. Wolves and zebras survive in groups.
A school · Fish that swim together in a group are called a school.
More eyes can watch for lions · A big herd has many eyes and ears, so danger is spotted sooner.
Many eyes can spot a hungry shark sooner · Fish in a school have many eyes watching for danger, so predators get spotted sooner.
Growing thicker fur · A group protects its members, helps find food, and helps raise the young. Growing thicker fur is not something a group does.
False · Some animals live and hunt alone and do just fine. A group helps many animals survive better, but it is not the only way to live.
Even a strong elephant is safer in a herd, because many grown elephants watch for danger together · Being big does not replace many eyes. A herd watches for danger together, and that protects every member, even the strong ones.
A school has many eyes watching at once, so danger is spotted sooner than one fish could spot it · Swimming fast helps only after a fish spots the danger. A school spots it sooner, because many eyes watch together.