1. Predator-prey relationships

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

3. This predator has sharp teeth and eyes that face forward.
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 3

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

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 5

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 6

7. Tactics of the Predator
1) Invisibility Cloak (cryptic coloration/ camouflage)
Figure 14.1 7

8. Tactics of the Predator
2) Patience is a Virtue (Hide and Wait)
Figure 14.1 8

9. Tactics of the Predator
3) Death by Poisoning (Venoms)
Figure 14.1 9

10. Tactics of the Predator
4) “Right this Way Please”: trap-doors, nets, and other deadly devices.
Figure 14.1 10

11. Tactics of the Predator
5) Bigger, Badder, Faster
200 mph
Figure 14.1
700 lbs & built to kill
17,000 lbs, and perhaps as smart as you 11

12. Tactics of the Predator
Combinations- Invisibility Cloak; Patience; Bigger, Badder, Faster
Figure 14.1 12

13. Responses of the Prey
1) Invisibility Cloak (cryptic coloration/ camouflage)
Figure 14.17b 13

14. Responses of the Prey
2) FLEE!!!!
Figure 14.17b 14

15. Responses of the Prey
3) Eat me and die (poisons and aposematic coloration):
Figure 14.17b 15

16. Responses of the Prey
4) “Shields up”: (armor):
Figure 14.17b 16

17. Responses of the Prey
5) “Who wants fetid flesh for dinner? Surely not a proud hunter like yourself” (play dead):
Figure 14.17b 17

18. Responses of the Prey
6) Mimicry:
Batesian mimicry- looks like a toxic model- but is non-toxic
Figure 14.17b
Mullerian mimicry- looks like a toxic model- AND is toxic 18

19. Responses of the Prey
6) Disguise:
Figure 14.17b 19

20. Responses of the Prey
6) Strength in Numbers:
Figure 14.17b 20

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,
Parasitoids – kill one prey during prolonged
attack.
Start with definition. Unlike competition, here we have clear winners and losers in the fitness arena.
Classification: Based on effects of predators on prey.
Clearly, prey can compensate for some forms of predation (grazing) but not others (true predation).
Take home message.
different kinds of predation, in this classification elicit different coping responses on the part of the prey.
by the way, which kind of predator would you try to choose to control populations of a pest?
go for specificity and lethality, parasitoids.
Let’s look at some examples of these different interactions.