In a predator and prey graph, why does the predators populationalways start off

Question

In a predator and prey graph, why does the predators populationalways start off higher as compared to the prey? (is this eventrue, and if yes why ?) There is this site...http://home.messiah.edu/~deroos/CSC171/PredPrey/PPIntro.htm If you go here and scroll to the bottom and press "Press toview the Simulation" a graph appears,....and no matter what factorsyou change, you see that the rabbit population starts off higher.. The question asked in my assignment is "Manipulate the initialfox and/or rabbit population. Predict and observe the effect ofyour manupulations" See i think ...that the initial rabbitpopulation always starts off higher than the fox even if you changethe factors listed on the side. Why is the rabbit population alwayshigher ....is it just that, thats were the graph is starting..? If you go here and scroll to the bottom and press "Press toview the Simulation" a graph appears,....and no matter what factorsyou change, you see that the rabbit population starts off higher.. The question asked in my assignment is "Manipulate the initialfox and/or rabbit population. Predict and observe the effect ofyour manupulations" See i think ...that the initial rabbitpopulation always starts off higher than the fox even if you changethe factors listed on the side. Why is the rabbit population alwayshigher ....is it just that, thats were the graph is starting..?

Explanation / Answer

Yes it is sometimes true. Predators tend to look for signs of weakness in their prey, and therefore usually first eat the old or sick animals. This has the side effects of ensuring a strong stock among the survivors, and controlling the population. And this causes an "increase" in the number of predators (breeding) and the "decrease"of prey.

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