Primary Defenses of Animals
Through years of evolution, most animals --- whether on land, in water or in the air --- have evolved their own unique defense mechanisms, enabling them to survive effectively in the wild. Although most people think of defense as being something of physical size, many small creatures have developed effective defenses to rival those of the big boys.
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Dislodgement
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Perhaps not the most common means of defense, but some animals, such as lizards, are designed to lose parts of their body when in danger. When a predator attacks a lizard, its tail will snap off easily, dislodge and start moving rapidly as if it has a life of its own, enabling the lizard to get away. When the tail is moving the predator gets distracted, giving the lizard enough time to run and move out of harm's way. The tail, loaded with harmful parasites, is also not edible. Starfish and worms have the ability to regenerate parts of their body after being attacked. Although these defenses might not harm the attacker, they still allow the species to survive more successfully over time than what would otherwise be possible.
Fluid Ejection
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Some animals, like the squid, use distraction and surprise to avoid harm. In the presence of intruders, squids eject dark fluid from their own bodies. This fluid, which is ink-like in quality, will temporarily affect the predator's vision, allowing the squid time to escape.
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Sharp Objects and Muscle Mass
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Many animals use sharp objects. Tiger's teeth, when combined with a powerful jaw, create a powerful defense mechanism, allowing the tiger to overpower most would-be attackers as well as to hunt prey effectively. For animals that might not have the power in the jaw, sharp teeth often take their place, such as those in opossums. Some animals contain sheer muscle mass as their leverage. The rhinoceros, for example, has a large body, which when combined with a large horn become dangerous, especially when sped-up to charging speeds.
Poison and Venom
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Some animals are small in size, but pack a deadly punch. Liquid-based defense systems, such as poison and venom, serve a dual-purpose in the world of animals. Not only do they defend the animal from potential predators, but they usually combine into a hunting mechanism as well. Many snakes and scorpions commonly create venom, which they will strike into other animals that are perceived as a threat. Alternatively, some species of frogs --- usually bright in color --- excrete poison from their backs. They use the coloring as a warning signal and then the poison for the actual deadly defense from other animals.
Disguise
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Disguise also prevents predation for many animals. Some insects --- such as walking sticks --- mimic their environment. This particular insect has evolved over time to look almost identical to a common twig. Several other types of insects have evolved similar color schemes and looks, resembling the natural environment around them. Some, such as the chameleon, can change colors, allowing a bit of added versatility.
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References
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Lifesize/Getty Images
