| | Category | EV | P20 | Diet and the Ecosystem |
| | Abstract | The purpose of my investigation was to see how reptiles’ dietary |
| | preferences positively affect an ecosystem. |
| | My hypothesis was that my test subjects would prove that reptiles’ dietary |
| | preferences can help an ecosystem where an invasive species or pest is |
| | a problem. |
| | First, I ordered a collection of insects and recorded those that would be |
| | used in this investigation, and where they are commonly found. Next, I |
| | separated “reptile subject” 1 (a leopard gecko) and “reptile subject” 2 into |
| | two separate (proper and safe) living habitats. Then, I offered each |
| | “subject” a choice of two different insects at feeding time. Using two |
| | subjects helps to determine that the preference is uniform, that it is not an |
| | individual preference. I offered this same set of insects 2-3 different times |
| | for stronger results. I recorded observations and data. I repeated this for |
| | the other sets of insects, marking and recording observations in a |
| | “preference table”. |
| | |
| | I observed that the geckos showed certain dietary preferences. |
| | I concluded that reptiles’ dietary preferences can positively affect an |
| | ecosystem that has an invasive species or pest. |
| | Bibliography | "Reptile-new World Encyclopedia" New World Encyclopedia, 22 April. |
| | http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/reptile (accessed Dec. 15, |
| | 2009) Rubin, N.A. "Reptiles In Mythology/View Zone" 12 March, 1997. |
| | http://viewzone.com/israel.htm/ (accessed Dec. 15, 2009) Top Dawg Pet |
| | Supplies, "Complete Herp Care" |