7 ways to trick a predator
(ORDO NEWS) — The world of wild nature is cruel and full of vicious predators, ready to feast on small defenseless creatures. To avoid the fate of someone else’s dinner, some animals fight, others run away. And the most cunning prefer the art of deception.
7. False alarm
A tiny Australian bird – the red-headed boletus – in case of danger, raises a cry of alarm, which other birds use when a hawk approaches. This false alarm is usually enough to scare off smaller predators. Hornbeak is a talented onomatopoeic. She is able to reproduce the fearsome cries of four other species of birds.
6. The moth pretends to be a spider
In the event of a threat, the Choreutidae molleworm spreads its hind wings, and raises the front wings over the body at an angle and begins to jump like a jumping spider. The predatory spider loses precious minutes wondering who is in front of him – a potential dinner or Larry’s cousin. This delay is enough for the moth to have time to get away.
5. Horror caterpillar
To survive in the dangerous Australian jungle, the caterpillar of the butterfly Phyllodes imperialis hides under the guise of a snake. In case of danger, the insect “rears up”, like a snake hunting. At the same time, her skin is stretched forward and downward, forming a yellow-white-black “face” resembling a skull. The body of the caterpillar stretches up to 12 cm in length, while it emits “clicking” sounds. Usually such manipulations cause certain fears among predators. Despite elaborate camouflage, P. imperialis is on the brink of extinction.
4. Amputation of the spine
When the Toki gecko senses that it has been ambushed, its muscles literally break the spinal column in half. As a result, the 3 cm long tail of the lizard disappears. At the same time, the lost process continues to wriggle for about half an hour, distracting the attention of the predator. After three weeks, the toki takes on a new tail, but it cannot be compared with the original. Duplicate and smaller size, and more modest talent – in case of repeated “amputation” he is not able to demonstrate the previous level of acting.
3. The noise of a kiss
Representatives of an isolated group of orangutans living on the island of Borneo have developed a unique strategy of behavior in the event of a predator approaching. When they see a snake, big cat, or human, monkeys begin kissing their fingers or the leaves of trees. The “noises” emitted at the same time hint to the hunter that he was noticed, and give a somewhat exaggerated idea of the size of the orangutan. As a result, the predator usually goes in search of lighter and smaller prey.
2. Leaf fall from lizards
Another inhabitant of Borneo who uses fraud to survive is the flying dragon. This tiny lizard, like many other species, pretends to be a leaf, but in an original way. She does not sit still in the hope that she will be mistaken for a piece of foliage. Gliding from tree to tree, the lizard imitates the movement of a falling leaf. The color of the pretender depends on the habitat. “Dragons” living in coastal mangrove swamps have a reddish tint. While the aboriginal rainforests are distinguished by a greenish coloration.
1. Chicks who want to be caterpillars
The chicks of the gray aulia, living in the Amazon jungle, scare away nest-robbers, taking the form of local poisonous caterpillars. Babies have the same bright orange color. And when a monkey or a snake approaches their home, the cubs retract their heads and begin to crawl and wriggle. As a rule, predators “peck” at this circus and leave home. The chicks only finish the show when their parents return home and give a special signal.
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