Interesting and Bizarre Predatory Animal Defenses
Evolution in the animal kingdom has caused species to partake in an armed race, which ultimately causes their adaptive traits to change over time within their gene pool. This trait may have been caused as a side affect of another adaptive mechanism or the dominate trait took over the adapted to protect the animal.
In many cases, a new defense can hinder an animals behavior or a relationship between a predator and it’s prey can change which then presents another problem for the weaker of the animals.
If the species cannot adapt to the environment with their new trait, they will go extinct, therefore allowing the species with that new trait that are adaptable to inhabit the pool.
This idea of Natural selection is one of the cornerstones of modern biology and was introduced by Charles Darwin in his 1859 groundbreaking book “Origin of the Species”. This book explained the process by which the desirable traits of animals and plants are favored by the environment.
Peppered Moth
Image via Wikipedia
The peppered moth comes in two forms, both white and molted. Before the industrial Revolution, they were commonly found with just a white coloration, however due to the pollution in the factories the molted coloration became for common. In all actuality, the molted trait allowed this species to blend with the environment, therefore this camouflage became the dominant trade.
Hammerhead Shark
Image via Wikipedia
Hammerhead sharks, amongst many other species of shark, are darker colored on their dorsal side and lighter on their ventral. This coloration allows them to blend with the colors of the sea, as well as warding off predators from below. Also, the head is mostly used to make swift turns while looking for food, therefore the movements and placements of the eyesockets are not a predatory defense. However, there are electroreceptory sensory pores called ampullae embedded throughout the body which allows them to detect prey by a type of sonar.
Rock Ptarmigan
Image via Wikipedia
The ptarmigan lives in a snow covered environment for most of the year, so white plumage on their ventral side allows them to blend. However, when the snow melts their dorsal feathers change colors to a light brown. What’s fascinating about these creatures is that they act very much like assassins, covering themselves up with dirt and mud, with only an eyeball showing.
Variegated Urchins
Source
The variegated urchin tends to pick up debris such as sand and shells and holds them over their body like an umbrella to avoid detection. They also use this defense to protect themselves against sharks and other predators.
Hagfish
Hagfish are the slimiest fish in the ocean, which of course is a very bizarre and useful defense. When they are overly stressed or being attacked, they will produce an enormous amount of mucous and the predator can not get a hold of them and may suffocate. Hagfish will also tie themselves in an overhand knot so when the predator tries to take hold, the slime makes it easier to get free.
Bluelashed Butterflyfish
The butterflyfish has dark, rounded spots on it’s caudal side, which fools the predator into thinking it’s biting the head, instead of the tail. If the fish does get bitten it will still be able to swim away injured.
Monarch Butterfly
Image via Wikipedia
The Monarch is not typically toxic, although the plants that it consumes are. The butterfly will store the toxins in their tissues, therefore when a bird or or another predator tries to eat it they will fall ill. Although the bright coloration of the butterfly is an attraction for predators, the fowl taste usually allows for the Monarch to remain unharmed.
Tephritid Fly
The tephritid fly resembles the jumping spider in that it waves it’s antennae to warn other flys that a predator is near. If the fly encounters a spider and mimics the same behavior, it avoids being attacked and even eaten.
Adelie Penguins
When Adelie penguins leave their breeding grounds to feed, they form small groups and jump into the water together. Doing this allows the penguins to escape a seal attack considering it’s more difficult for the seal to capture a group, rather than one individual penguin. While swimming in the groups, the penguins are able to reach their feeding ground.
Hognose Snake
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Source
The Hognose snake will flip on it’s back and roll up if being attacked. It will release an odor resembling a dead animal, therefore it wards away predators and no one likes the taste of spoiled meat.
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24 Responses to “Interesting and Bizarre Predatory Animal Defenses”
On September 5, 2009 at 6:46 am
Very interesting and bizarre indeed.
Thanks for sharing this great stuff.
Well written
On September 5, 2009 at 9:20 am
Fascinating article Lauren! Found the Peppered Moth story really interesting in that is has basically evolved to live with man’s pollution.
On September 5, 2009 at 10:06 am
Wow, interesting read here! I’ve seen you put much effort on this piece, well done. Have my liked it too.
On September 5, 2009 at 10:29 am
very informative..
On September 5, 2009 at 10:31 am
Interesting and well researced.
On September 5, 2009 at 10:58 am
Fantastic article! You really did your research! I learned a lot. Love it!
On September 5, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Very interesting Lauren, thanks for sharing.
On September 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm
cool link, but some of these animals are not predatory. good pics
On September 5, 2009 at 2:40 pm
B Nelson
“but some of these animals are not predatory. ”
The animals mentioned use these defenses against predators which is the basis of the piece. These are not predators, these are the animals that act on the attack.
On September 5, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Brilliant article Lauren. Nature has an amazing way of finding just the right solution!
On September 5, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Well done!!!
On September 5, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I’m afraid we will lose many of our insects and animals. I’m especially worried about bees. i have seen very few the last couple of years and in some places people are doing their own pollination. If that happens there will be world wide hunger.
On September 5, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Great piece as usual Lauren.I had no idea the butterfly could do that. I’d never heard of that bird whose habitat is mostly snowy.
On September 6, 2009 at 2:18 am
Crazy facts Lauren. Had heard of some of the ways that animals trick their attackers into thinking they are something else but for me the snake omitting an odor was a totally new piece of info.
Thanks
RJ
On September 6, 2009 at 7:47 am
Ummmm, shouldn’t the caption on the Hammerhead shark have something to do with the shape of its head, rather than coloration which is standard to most sharks?
On September 6, 2009 at 3:38 pm
As always very interesting article. It is bizare indeed
On September 6, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Interesting read.
On September 6, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Chris that was typo. The head is mostly used to make swift turns while looking for food, not really a predatory defense.
The electroreceptory sensory pores called ampullae allows them to detect prey by a type of sonar, which are not just found with the head.
Their bodies are also sensitive to pressure changes, which allows them to detect prey as well.
On September 6, 2009 at 10:15 pm
These critters give me the jitters – your animal stories always transfix me – except when they are real to the touch; then I’m scared.
Thank-you, another brilliant peice . j
On September 7, 2009 at 7:39 am
Brilliant article! I think the blue lashes is cool!
On September 9, 2009 at 8:14 am
A fascinating piece for sure. The ‘hag-fish’ was a bit different. Great research and article.
On September 14, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Every one of your articles is like going to school for me! Incredible stuff!
On September 17, 2009 at 11:22 am
Great topic, very good info and pics.
On November 7, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Lauren,
I found this one at Friends Revolution. Your article is well written and interesting as always. I shared this on facebook.
Blessings to you,
Chris
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