Antelope are hunted by both crocodiles and lions. When antelope bend down to drink water, they are vulnerable to lions on land and crocodiles in the water. The lions hide in the grass and ambush them, while the crocodiles hide in the water and ambush them.

Question

Which environmental change would cause the crocodiles to lose the competition for food?

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Answer 1

One possible environmental change that could cause crocodiles to lose the competition for food against lions is a significant reduction in water levels in their habitat, such as a prolonged drought or changes in rainfall patterns.

If the water sources where crocodiles typically ambush antelope dry up or become significantly diminished, their ability to surprise and capture prey would be greatly impaired. This reduction in water would limit their ambush opportunities, forcing them to spend more time in less optimal areas or potentially leading to fewer encounters with antelope.

On the other hand, lions would still have the advantage on land, where they can continue to hunt antelope without the constraint of water. As a result, with diminished access to prey due to their reduced habitat effectiveness, crocodiles would face a competitive disadvantage against lions, leading to a potential decrease in their food intake and overall population.

In summary, a significant reduction in water availability would likely lead to crocodiles losing the competition for food against lions.