Predator-prey relationships
Predators Predators are animals that eat other animals for food.
Barn Owl Mountain Lion
Predators are carnivores (animals that eat meat) or omnivores (animals that eat meat and plants). Predators have:
• sharp teeth
• sharp claws
• eyes that look forward (binocular vision) to help them judge the distance to the prey
This predator has sharp teeth and eyes that face forward.
Gray Fox
Prey Prey are animals that are eaten by predators.
Mule Deer Desert Cottontail Rabbit
Herbivores are always prey. They:
•have flat teeth for chewing plants
• have feet for running
• have eyes that look to the side, so they can see a wide range without turning their heads.
These animal skulls have large flat molars for chewing
plant foods. Their eyes are located on the
sides of their heads so they can watch for predators.
Deer Porcupine
Predator or Prey?By looking at an animal’s feet, eye position, and teeth a person can usually tell if an animal is a predator or prey. See if you can determine which of these animals are predators and which are prey. Remember to look at their feet and eye positions.
Mountain Lion
Javelina
Kangaroo Rat
Bobcat
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/camo
Tactics of the Predator1) Invisibility Cloak (cryptic coloration/ camouflage)
Tactics of the Predator2) Patience is a Virtue (Hide and Wait)
Tactics of the Predator3) Death by Poisoning (Venoms)
Tactics of the Predator
4) “Right this Way Please”: trap-doors, nets, and other deadly devices.
Tactics of the Predator5) Bigger, Badder, Faster
200 mph
17,000 lbs, and perhaps as smart as you
700 lbs & built to kill
Tactics of the PredatorCombinations- Invisibility Cloak; Patience; Bigger, Badder, Faster
Responses of the Prey1) Invisibility Cloak (cryptic coloration/ camouflage)
Responses of the Prey2) FLEE!!!!
Responses of the Prey3) Eat me and die (poisons and aposematic coloration):
Responses of the Prey4) “Shields up”: (armor):
Responses of the Prey5) “Who wants fetid flesh for dinner? Surely not a proud hunter like yourself” (play
dead):
Responses of the Prey6) Mimicry:
Batesian mimicry- looks like a toxic model- but is non-toxic
Mullerian mimicry- looks like a toxic model- AND is toxic
Responses of the Prey6) Disguise:
Responses of the Prey6) Strength in Numbers:
Types of predators
Carnivores – kill the prey during attack
Herbivores – remove parts of many prey, rarely lethal.
Parasites – consume parts of one or few prey,rarely lethal.
Parasitoids – kill one prey during prolongedattack.