Predator-prey relationships

1. Predator-prey relationships

2. Predators Predators are animals that eat other animals for food. Barn Owl Mountain Lion

3. 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

4. Prey Prey are animals that are eaten by predators. Mule Deer Desert Cottontail Rabbit

5. 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. Porcupine Deer

6. 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 Kangaroo Rat Bobcat Javelina

7. Tactics of the Predator 1) Invisibility Cloak (cryptic coloration/ camouflage) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/camo

8. Tactics of the Predator 2) Patience is a Virtue (Hide and Wait)

9. Tactics of the Predator 3) Death by Poisoning (Venoms)

10. Tactics of the Predator 4) “Right this Way Please”: trap-doors, nets, and other deadly devices.

11. Tactics of the Predator 5) Bigger, Badder, Faster 200 mph 700 lbs & built to kill 17,000 lbs, and perhaps as smart as you

12. Tactics of the Predator Combinations- Invisibility Cloak; Patience; Bigger, Badder, Faster

13. Responses of the Prey 1) Invisibility Cloak (cryptic coloration/ camouflage)

14. Responses of the Prey 2) FLEE!!!!

15. Responses of the Prey 3) Eat me and die (poisons and aposematic coloration):

16. Responses of the Prey 4) “Shields up”: (armor):

17. Responses of the Prey 5) “Who wants fetid flesh for dinner? Surely not a proud hunter like yourself” (play dead):

18. Responses of the Prey 6) Mimicry: Batesian mimicry- looks like a toxic model- but is non-toxic Mullerian mimicry- looks like a toxic model- AND is toxic

19. Responses of the Prey 6) Disguise:

20. Responses of the Prey 6) Strength in Numbers:

21. 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 prolonged attack.