If the player thinks it is necessary, they can discard 1 Trait card face-up to the Trait discard pile to increase the Population or Body Size value (not both) on one of their Species boards by “+1”. The maximum value for both tracks is “6”.
After the player has completed their actions for this phase, the next player in turn order sequence now goes. After all the players have had a turn, the phase is over. All face-down Trait cards played to Species boards are now flipped over and revealed. Any Trait cards still in a player’s hand are saved for the next round of game play.
Phase 4: Feeding Frenzy
First, flip over the Food Cards located on the Watering Hole. The number values on the cards are added, resulting in this round’s total “Plant” food. An equal number of “Plant” Food tokens are then collected from the Food pool and placed on the Watering Hole board. If the resulting “Plant” food number from the Food Cards is a negative value, subtract an equal number of Plant” Food tokens from the Watering Hole board. For example, if the Watering Hole had 5 “Plant” Food tokens, but the Food Cards added up to “-4”, then “4” “Plant” Food tokens would be removed from the Watering Hole board.
When done calculating and adding (or subtracting) “Plant” Food tokens to the Watering Hole, the Food Cards are placed face-up in the Trait discard pile.
During this first portion of the phase, players should pay attention to their played Trait cards. Some have special effects that can be used. The order in which they activate is up to the player. Only Trait cards above Species boards can be used. Any in the player’s hand are not considered in play.
Second, each player must now feed their species, but only if the species is hungry. A species is considered “hungry” if the Population value is greater than the total amount of Food tokens on the Species board. Food tokens taken to feed a species are stored on the Species board above the Population and Body Size tracks, starting with the “1” space.
Beginning with the First Player, non-carnivore species are fed first. 1 “Plant” Food token is taken from the Watering Hole board and placed on the non-carnivorous Species board. Some Trait cards allow more than 1 Food token to be taken at this time, but a player may never collect more food than their Population track value. Animals don’t have refrigerators, you see.
After the plant eaters have been fed their salad, it’s time to feed the meat eaters. Carnivores are not able to survive eating the “Plant” Food tokens, even if they have a Trait card that would suggest otherwise. To satisfy their hunger, they must attack other species and even, if times are desperate, attack their own (meaning a player must devour their own species).
Attacking is pretty straight forward. Only a few rules apply.