Vda#7

1. What is the benefit of checking feces (poop, scat, dung, droppings) for hormones versus checking the blood of the animal?

to better understand their reproductive patterns without stressing them by capturing them and sampling their blood.

2. What four things can you learn from an organism's droppings?

The four things you can learn from an organism's droppings is the species that excreted it, its travels, diet and health.

3. What hormone is produced when some animals are stressed or starving?

cortisol

4. What did the researchers conclude contributed to the higher stress in orcas and how did the scientists come to that conclusion?

Every August, there were plenty of fish for the whales to eat — and a lot of whale-watching boats in the area too. Around that time, GC levels in the whale poop dropped to their lowest levels, the team found. If the boats stressed the whales, then GC levels should have been high at that time.

Later, when the number of Chinook salmon, a favorite food, dropped, GC levels in the orca scat rose. So the researchers concluded that fewer fish created more stress for the whales than did more boats. That is worrisome, because Chinook salmon are scarcer as people overfish this species.

5. Give two reasons why dung beetles climb atop the balls of dung.

 The insects danced to orient themselves and get back on track and they had been trying to avoid hot. feet

6. What is the relationship between the Kakapo and the Hades flowers? In your answer, be sure to include how each species benefits the other.

They both kill.

7. Why is the Hades flower called "Hades" flower?
Because it is the cause of cancer