Question

a hungry hawk spots a squirrel sitting on a fence. which of the following statements describes the ecological relationship between the hawk and the squirrel? they have a relationship known as predation. the squirrel is the predator and the hawk is the prey. they have a relationship known as commensalism. the hawk benefits from the relationship and the squirrel is unharmed. they have a relationship known as predation. the hawk is the predator and the squirrel is the prey. they have no ecological relationship.

Explanation:

• Predation: In predation, one organism (predator) hunts and feeds on another (prey). Here, the hawk (predator) hunts the squirrel (prey).
• Commensalism: This is a relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. But the hawk - squirrel relationship is not commensalism as the squirrel is at risk of being eaten.
• No ecological relationship: This is incorrect as there is an interaction (predation) between them.

Answer:

They have a relationship known as predation. The hawk is the predator and the squirrel is the prey.