Here’s the completed worksheet with correct answers and explanations:
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Social Group or Solitary?
Add the letter next to each animal below to show whether they live in a social group or alone (except when reproducing).
✔ honeybee — G
*Explanation:* Honeybees live in highly organized colonies with queens, workers, and drones. They are one of the most social insects.
✔ lion — G
*Explanation:* Lions live in prides, which are family groups consisting of related females, their cubs, and a few adult males. They hunt and rest together.
✔ tiger — A
*Explanation:* Tigers are solitary hunters. They mark territories and avoid other tigers except during mating or when a mother is raising cubs.
✔ anaconda — A
*Explanation:* Anacondas are non-social snakes. They spend most of their lives alone, coming together only to mate.
✔ wildebeest — G
*Explanation:* Wildebeests are herd animals. They migrate in massive groups for safety and access to food and water.
✔ polar bear — A
*Explanation:* Polar bears are mostly solitary, especially adults. They roam vast Arctic territories alone, only interacting during mating or when mothers care for cubs.
✔ dolphin — G
*Explanation:* Dolphins are highly social marine mammals. They live in pods, communicate using clicks and whistles, and cooperate to hunt and protect each other.
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Critical Thinking: What do the solitary animals have in common?
*(Hint: Think about their habitats and where they are in the food web.)*
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Answer:
> The solitary animals (tiger, anaconda, polar bear) are all
apex predators — they sit at the top of the food chain and have few or no natural predators. Because they don’t need protection from others, they can survive and hunt effectively alone. Additionally, they often live in environments where prey is spread out (like forests, swamps, or Arctic tundra), making solitary hunting more efficient than group hunting. Their large territories also make group living impractical.
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✔ Final Answer Key:
- honeybee → G
- lion → G
- tiger → A
- anaconda → A
- wildebeest → G
- polar bear → A
- dolphin → G
Let me know if you’d like this as a printable version or with diagrams!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of social group worksheet.
