Defense Mechanisms
The relationship between predator and prey is a bit like a race for mutative defenses and attacks. As soon as one develops a weapon or defense mechanism, the other is working on an adaptation that allows them to prevent that mechanism from affecting them. All different species of life have different ways of defending themselves against predators, or even against the prey's defense mechanisms. This site will (hopefully) teach you something about different kinds of animal defense mechanisms.
|
Most Common Defense MechanismsThere are several ways animals avoid falling prey to a predator. One way is very direct and comes naturally. Imagine you are a rabbit and you have just noticed a fox preparing to attack. What would be your initial response? Right, you'd probably run. Animals can use speed as a very effective means of escaping predators. Remember, you can't eat what you can't catch!
|
If you can't move very fast, then one of your options is body armor. No, not like a knight's suit of armor, but a type of self-protection that comes on your own skin! Some obvious examples of this ability are Porcupines, Pangolins, and Thorny Devil Lizards. These defenses don't rely on the personal running speed of the animal, but the simple inability of the predator not being able to eat spikes, scales, or thorns without injuring themselves.
|
If you can't run, and you don't have body armor, there is still another option. Some animals have evolved to exhibit some form of camouflage, which is an adaptation that allows animals to blend in with certain aspects of their environment. Camouflage increases an organism's chance of survival by hiding it from predators. This gives the animal a higher probability of being able to successfully reproduce and carry on the species. Camouflage is also used by some predators as a tool for hunting.
|
When you don't have any mutated talent above, you're still going to be able to defend yourself. Don't worry. Many animals use poison or venom as a defense mechanism. Poisonous animals usually are very brightly colored, and when some animals aren't poisonous, they mimic the bright colors of a poisonous animal, but watch out. There is actually a difference between being poisonous and being venomous. The venomous animals normally inject their poison into their prey through fangs, claws or a stinger. Poisonous animals have secretions or parts of their body that are poisonous to anything that touches or eats them. They tend to use it more defensively where as venomous animals tend to use it to capture prey although it can also be used in defense situations too, like the mimicry of colors.
|
Common Defense Mechanisms of Specific Animal Classes
MammalsSome of the most common defense mechanisms for mammals are:
|
Reptiles
|
Birds
|
Passion Project by Regan R. in Mr. Solarz's class at Westgate Elementary School <(º-º)>