Are carnivores predators? The answer was "No. ”
Not all carnivores are classified as predators: only those who rely primarily on the hunting of live animals for their livelihoods are included in this list. Big cats, polar bears, spotted hyenas, wolves and jackals are predators, as are ferrets and civet cats (ferrets, civets and badgers).
Macaques and chimpanzees are not, although they can also kill and eat other small animals. Animals that prey on insects (such as bats) or feed on carrion (such as vultures) are not predators.
For millions of years, tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, wolves, king cobras, great white sharks and orcas, these charismatic predators have captivated humans. But being a predator is not simple.
Pay attention to body size
In the basic design of a predator, the only most important factor is body size.
The largest terrestrial predator, the extinct T. rex, may weigh more than 20 tons and could kill herbivorous dinosaurs up to 4 times their size.
In the Miocene (about 2.5 million years ago), elephant-like animals, as well as giant versions of tapirs, rhinos, hippos and sloths that exist today, roamed the earth. They were preyed upon by much larger ancestors like today's cats, dogs, hyenas, and bears.
Echoing the decline in the size of predators, today's terrestrial predators have become much smaller. The burest polar bear weighs about 700 kilograms, while the lightest ferret weighs less than a thousandth of it.
Only some big cats are able to single-handedly kill prey larger than they are. Predators such as tigers, lions, leopards and mountain lions show unusual ability to kill ungulates that are 5-6 times larger. The vast majority of predators are born to prey smaller than them.
Coordinate and cooperate
The large canine teeth of big cats are a typical example of morphological adaptation, while the predatory behavior of jackals in flocks is a behavioral adaptation. It is the coordinated combination of these 2 evolutionary adaptations that constitute the functional "design" of the predator.
Predators inherit inherited behaviors can most effectively utilize their physical "arming."
Like form, predatory behavior is part of the predator's "design."
If a jackal tries to act like a leopard, sneaking, ambushing, and biting the throat of its prey to death, the jackal is doomed to return empty-handed. Its body does not possess the qualities to sneak in as quietly as spring, nor does it lack the strong body and jaw muscles needed to bite the throat of its prey and kill it, as well as its long canine teeth and claws. In contrast, the jackal's flexible body makes it less fatigued during chase, and its long narrow nose and mouth allow it to bite its prey while running. Together, these traits can cause prey to fall down due to exhaustion and blood loss.
Excellent sensory system
Predators need to have sensory mechanisms that are stronger than their prey to detect and locate their prey in order to be surprised before attacking. Predators can determine the position of their prey by sight, vibration, breath, body temperature, or touch. Different predators use different combinations of sensory abilities.
The vast majority of predators living on land rely on vision to detect prey in motion rather than stationary. Despite poor ability to distinguish colors, the eyes and nervous system of big cats are able to capture images even in conditions with extremely weak light intensity. Canines such as wolves and jackals have poor vision when there is low light and prey mainly during the day.
Birds of prey that hunt during the day are extremely sensitive to the perception of visible light. A falcon can spot a small mouse on the grass rolling like a wave far below! Owls that prey on the night can see the infrared rays radiated by the warm bodies of these mice.
Sound is actually a vibration through the air or water. Carnivores, birds, and some reptiles are able to sense these vibrations through their ears to determine the location of their prey. The vast majority of snakes use their bones to detect vibrations transmitted through the ground. Predatory fish's bodies are able to sense the vibrations that travel through the water. The tentacles and whiskers of mammals such as otters and shrews are also used to sense vibrations.
The vast majority of mammalian predators have large fan-shaped ears, a structure that helps to bring vibrations into the ears. If you observe a cat preying, you will easily see it turning its ears frequently to determine the location of potential prey.
Many terrestrial predators, especially canines, have an extremely sensitive perception of odors.
Compared to human noses, the odor-receiving cells on a dog's nose are about 40 times more numerous than the former! They are generally interconnected by odor signals scattered on the ground or in vegetation, but never seem to use the smells that spread through the air when hunting. Predatory birds also don't rely on their sense of smell. However, in the dark underwater world, the sense of smell is an important tool for predatory fish such as sharks to hunt and detect.
Snakes such as pythons, snakes and rattlesnakes are able to detect temperature changes around them due to the presence of warm-blooded animals. Heat receivers in recessed faces or jaws can even allow them to locate their prey and launch precise and deadly attacks. Predatory fish detect prey by touching, or even by the movable and sensory-sensitive protrusions of their faces.
Attack prey with wisdom
Predators must be close enough to their prey to catch them. The following two behaviors are mainly used:
The first strategy is pure ambush, with well-concealed predators waiting for their prey to cast their nets. Mantises that kill insects disguise themselves as non-toxic branches or leaves and wait for careless prey that passes by. Other predators resort to a series of amazing tactics to get their prey closer. Some spiders weave intricate webs, while others carefully construct traps on the ground. Indian water-jet fish can spray up to 2 meters of water column to catch insects, while chameleons will quickly extend their long, sticky tongues to catch prey. Anemones, jellyfish, and polyps have other trapping tricks that only need to wait for the prey to enter the attack range.
Usually, lower-class creatures that feed on abundant prey employ pure ambush strategies.
Higher animals that actively hunt either employ "in-ambush" tactics like tigers, leopards, or lions, or become "galloping predators" like wolves, jackals, or cheetahs, dragging down their prey in long chases. The former has legs with thick flesh pads, a body that perfectly balances movement, the ability to lurk for long periods of time, and the powerful jumping ability necessary to launch a deadly ambush. The flyer has a light body, long toes and long legs suitable for running, and great endurance to tirelessly chase prey.
Eagles and falcons like to wait in the forest canopy and raid prey that passes close under the trees, while falcons prefer to chase and catch prey over long distances in open skies. The former has wide, rounded wings that are suitable for quick dodging in dense forests, while the latter has long, pointed wings that allow them to reach incredible speeds of 250 kilometers per hour.
safety first
After catching prey, predators must quickly subdue it before safely enjoying it. Many predatory species have strong anti-predator defenses that can cause serious damage to predators.
It is crucial to paralyze the prey immediately after the attack. Eye snakes will use venom to paralyze their prey, while others will entangle their prey and suffocate them. However, the vast majority of predators use their teeth (or beaks) and claws to subdue and kill their prey.
If the prey is larger than the predator, you have to be careful. When overturning large ungulates, big cats will bite the throat of their prey and try to avoid the blows of their hooves. Tigers sometimes bite off the hamstrings of adult bison before killing them.
Mammalian predators have sharp canine teeth that are "designed" to bite through the trachea and blood vessels of prey, or to tear open the belly of prey. Extinct saber-toothed tigers prey on large, thick-skinned elephants, zebras and sloths, and their highly specialized teeth are a prime example. The vast majority of predators have sharp hook-like claws that are able to grip and control prey while giving deadly bites.
The digestive system is also important
The feeding structure and digestive system of different predators vary greatly. The buccal teeth of dogs and cats are designed to bite large chunks of meat before swallowing. However, eating only small, soft prey, such as insect predators, often lacks strong teeth for cutting.
The predator's stomach and internal organs are relatively compact, making its body lighter and more agile, suitable for predatory life. After all, finding and capturing prey requires more effort than finding edible plants. And it is difficult to predict whether it will be successful in catching the prey. As a result, predators evolved a digestive system that could adapt to a full meal.
Tigers may sleep 18 hours a day and hunt only once a week. But it can eat food that weighs a quarter of its own weight in one meal.
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About the author
Ullas Karanth is a senior conservation expert and director of the WCS India program at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). He is also a member of the Zoological Society of London and a board member of the WWF India and Rentenbor Foundation. His book, The Way of the Tiger, was widely acclaimed.
Thanks to the "Protected Areas Friendly System (http://www.baohudi.org)" for its support for this article.
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