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.