What Animals Compete For

·        Suggest the factors for which organisms are competing in a given habitat
Animals often compete with each other for food, mates and territory

A A habitat is a natural environment where plants and animals live, e.g. the coral reef below.

Within any habitat there are limited resources which all the organisms must compete for. Animals need Food Water Oxygen Space The most significant of these for the coral reef will be food. Herbivores will be in competition with each other for algae and other edible plant material. Carnivores will be in competition with each other for prey.

Within the same species there may also be competition

	Many species are territorial. This means that individuals, pairs or groups defend a certain area, from members of other and the same species, so that they have exclusive access to the resources available. This wolf is marking out its territory using smell.
	In some species males compete with each other for the pick of the females to mate with, such as these deer fighting. This is a form of natural selection which helps to ensure that the next generation are strong and healthy.
	The peacock that puts on the most magnificent display will attract the hens. If it can waste so much energy on something so frivolous then it must have plenty to spare and so be a good mate. A bit like driving around in a flash car to impress the girls.