Wild Isles: Defence

Some animals have defence against predators… and prey?

Invertebrates

Caterpillars have three defences against wood ants: first, staying still, then fighting, and finally tying itself to a branch. Moving up the food chain, wood ants spray predators with acid.

The caterpillar’s first and third defences rely slightly on luck, but not as much as the scallop’s. Scallops clap their shells together in order to get away. However, they don’t have a good sense of direction.

Mammals

Similar to the scallop, brown hares zig-zag away from predators.

Fish

The Atlantic salmon’s defence isn’t for when it bumps into a predator, but for entering different areas. The salmon’s colour changes in fresh water and oceans.

Meanwhile, a male clingfish defends its egg-filled home by nipping at sea urchins.

Birds

The honey buzzard’s defence is actually against another defence: it has overlapping feathers and a third protective eyelid to prevent getting stung by wasps, while hunting the larvae.