Animal Senses Part 2: The Five Key Senses of Prey

In our last month’s blog, we looked at the 5 senses of predators. In this issue, we will describe these 5 senses, and more, for prey species. Here we go!

Sense of Hearing of Prey Species

In the jungles of Africa and Asia, predators like lions and tigers always have other animals for company, who keep a deep vigil when these predators are out looking for a meal. A would-be predator will mostly be detected because a prey such as keen-eared monkey or a large-eared deer hears the tiniest rustling of leaves or crack of a tree branch created by it. Monkeys and peacocks in trees, and grazing animals on ground give what is known as “alarm calls” when they sense danger. Therefore, for prey species, this sense is of the utmost importance just as it is for the predator.

For prey species, running away from danger is their first defense mechanism.

Sense of Vision of Prey Species

In the above case, it is the sense of vision of the prey species that makes them see very far. And this sense of vision is also of paramount importance for them.

Prey species need to be able to perceive threats from their sides and behind them. Therefore, their eyes are located on the sides of their face.

Sense of Smell of Prey Species

Generally, both prey and predator species have a good sense of smell. Again, in the above typical example, the deer probably smelled and heard the predator long before it came near. Their sense of smell is far superior to ours.

Sense of Taste for Prey Species

The only true flying mammals, the unique bats, are both predators as well as prey for many predatory birds such as owls and eagles. We know that they employ echolocation to locate their prey. They then use the returned signals to assess the location and size of them. After that, they decide which ones are edible through their sense of taste which analyzes chemical signals. They can separate potentially toxic food from many possible prey species. The sense of taste for prey species is mainly to ascertain whether certain food is edible or not. For predators, this sense is more useful in locating their prey.

Sense of Touch for Prey Species

Prey species’ sense of touch is adequate – but their main purpose is not for just finding food or avoiding predators as such – their most vital importance is bonding with other members of their group by licking and feeling them. Mothers exhibit their affection for their young ones by constantly licking and caressing them. Predators do this as well, especially pack animals such as lions and wolves.

Then there are also many interesting defense mechanisms that prey species exhibit.

Sense of Magnetoreception

Also known as magnetoreception, this is a sense some of both predator and prey species possess. It is the sense through which these species detect the magnetic field of Earth to good use. For example, they use it to find direction, location, orientation, altitude, as well as for navigation – depending on what they are looking for. Arthropods, mollusks, birds, sea turtles, fish, amphibians, honeybees, and a few mammals have this ability. Homing pigeons are well known for this as a navigation aid.

Birds use Earth’s magnetic field as one of the navigational aids, besides being sensitive to the surrounding landscape. Photo Credit: scientificamerican.com/Peter J. Hore and Henrik Mouritsen

Sense of Direction – Homing Pigeons: Pigeons have extraordinary navigational abilities. Photo Credit: wonderopolis.org

Camouflage

Camouflage – blending into surroundings seamlessly – is one of the strategies both predators and prey species possess to fool each other. Most of the predators’ skin are of various shades of brown. Since most of them are earthbound, they blend easily with the color of earth. A leopard has spots on its body – which mimics shadows of leaves as it perches on a tree. A tiger’s stripes break down the continuity of its shape in the grass and in thick jungle. So, it becomes difficult for deer, antelope, and other prey to spot them. Similarly for prey species as well. Most prey species have brownish hide. They blend well with their surroundings.

Visual Signal

Many prey species try to fool their would-be predators by acting as if they are dead. A wonderful example is the marsupial of the New World, the opossum.

Playing possum – Thanatosis – This expression comes from the Virginia opossum, that “plays dead” every time a potential predator is near. Incredibly, this opossum in the picture is very much alive! Photo Credit: lisafabrega.com/Lisa Fabrega

Chemical Defense

Some prey species, such as a spitting cobra, may spit, spray, or squirt chemicals that might irritate the eyes of a predator. Skunks also spray strong, unpleasant-smelling liquid.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra: One of several species of cobras can shoot or eject venom directly from their fangs when threatened. Photo Credit: snake-facts.weebly.com

Did You Know?

Besides the 5 senses and a few other mechanisms prey species possess, there are other incredible traits they have.

·       Color: Bright, conspicuous colors signal to predators that the prey is toxic or unpalatable, promoting predator learning and avoidance. Poison dart frogs are a prime example.

·       Mimicry: Some prey species imitate the appearance of dangerous or toxic animals to deter predators. The viceroy butterfly mimicking the monarch butterfly is a classic instance of Batesian mimicry.

·       Startle Displays: Animals may suddenly reveal a hidden feature, like eyespots, to startle a predator and gain a chance to escape.

·       Defensive Structures: Physical structures like spines, shells, or quills make prey difficult to consume or deter attacks. Porcupines are well known for their sharp quills.

·       Pursuit-Deterrent Signals: Behaviors like stotting (high jumps with stiff legs) in gazelles signal fitness and convince predators that a chase would be fruitless.

·       Herd Behavior: Animals living in groups, such as gazelles or wildebeest, benefit from increased vigilance and predator confusion, making it harder for a predator to isolate and attack an individual.

·       Communal Defense: Prey animals may collectively attack or harass a predator. Red colobus monkeys mobbing chimpanzees is an example of this behavior.

·       Defensive Regurgitation: Some birds and insects expel noxious substances from their mouths to repel predators.

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