Types of Defense Mechanisms

Let us look at some types of Defense Mechanisms now;

Running

This might be the oldest trick to avoiding predators in the book. Some preys are very quick and their only mode of survival is to just outrun and escape. Eventually predators get tired of chasing and just give up.

Camouflage

Some preys blend into their environment or mimic their surroundings to just simply avoid predators. A predator cannot eat what it cannot see. Lizards and stick insects practice these techniques a lot.

Protective Features

Some preys have protective features on their bodies that help them fight off predators. The porcupine has spikes that are very painful to touch and might pierce the skin of any predators trying to do anything funny. Some animals have hard shells they crawl back into to avoid attack from predators; turtles.

Playing Dead

Some animals just simply play dead to ward off predators. They just lie there hoping the predators pass by and leave them alone. If the predator does not buy it then that’s where the trouble starts. Opossums practice this.

Chemical excretions

Some animals excrete very pungent smells or very toxic poisons on to their predators that ward them off easily. Skunks are known to shoot very bad smells on to predators. Dart frogs also release poison on to their predators when they feel threatened.

Electrocution

This is common with electric eels in the sea. They give off electric currents to predators that try to eat them electrocuting them instantly.

Breaking off parts of their bodies

When animals feel threatened or are caught they can break off parts of their bodies to serve as distractions whiles they get away from danger. Lizards break off their tails. They can later re grow the lost parts

Exploding

Some ants and termites just sacrifice and explode themselves when they are approached by danger. They have poison in their bodies that spray off when they explode.