Mammal Master Badge

Grazer or Browser?

Lesson 7.3 · Grazers vs BrowsersOutdoor Mission
Kitimu
Kitimu says…Some mammals munch grass low to the ground — those are grazers. Others reach up to nibble leaves and twigs — those are browsers. Today you’re a Feeding Detective! Look for clues about who’s been eating what in your area. Let’s go, Cub!
Download the printable workbook (PDF)
Print it, grab a pencil, and take it outside!
🎒 What you need
🌿Garden, park or veld
📏Tape measure or ruler
📝Notebook & pencil
📷Camera (optional)
🧾Your worksheet
✏️Coloured pencils
📌 Your mission
  1. Learn the two feeding styles. Grazers (like zebra and wildebeest) eat grass low down. Browsers (like giraffe and kudu) reach up for leaves, twigs and shoots. Many animals do a bit of both!
  2. Hunt for feeding heights. Walk slowly and look at plants. Is the grass cropped short and neat (grazer)? Are leaves and twig-tips nibbled off bushes and low branches (browser)? Note how high off the ground the eating happened.
  3. Measure the browse line. Find a bush or tree that’s been nibbled. Measure how high the highest bites are. The taller the browse line, the taller the animal that made it — can you guess who?
  4. Spot the feeders. Watch any animals you can — a tortoise, a buck, even a rabbit or your dog on grass. Are they grazing (head down, grass) or browsing (head up, leaves)? Add each one to your list.
  5. Sort your evidence. Below, list what you found in two columns: Grazer clues and Browser clues. Which did you find more of near you — and why do you think that is?
Ranger TipA neat, flat ‘lawn’ of short grass usually means grazers have been at work. Ragged, nibbled bushes mean browsers passed by.
Did You Know?Giraffes are the ultimate browsers — their long necks and tongues reach leaves no other animal can, right at the top of the tree!
Download the printable workbook (PDF)
Print it, grab a pencil, and take it outside!
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Bringing Nature Home
Junior Rangers · Module 7: Mighty Mammals · Mission 7.3