Predator/Prey Interactions
A predator is an animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.
Conversely, prey is a term used to describe animals that are hunted and killed by predators. The interactions between a predator and its prey, as well as the interactions between an herbivore and the plants it eats, are some of the most powerful driving forces behind evolution.
Predation is a strong, selective pressure that drives prey organisms to find ways to avoid being eaten. Prey organisms that are difficult to find, catch or consume are the ones that will survive and reproduce. The result is that over evolutionary time, prey organisms have developed a stunning array of strategies to avoid being eaten. Some defensive strategies are pretty obvious, and top among the list of obvious strategies is running away. Gazelle, deer, small mammals and lizards often rely on their speed and quickness to escape predators, and many birds rely on flight as their primary defensive strategy. Some organisms, like armadillos, tortoises, porcupines and thorny plants, use armor, quills and thorns to defend themselves against predators.
Predators can also use some of the strategies already mentioned to help them capture or kill their prey. Cheetahs use speed to outrun their prey, and eagles, hawks, owls and falcons use flight to their advantage while hunting. Venomous snakes, spiders and wasps use poisons to either kill or immobilize their prey. Some predators even use mimicry to capture prey. The alligator snapping turtle uses its pink worm-like tongue as a lure to draw fish right into its mouth. The turtle will sit submerged underwater with its mouth wide open and flail its tongue around like a writhing worm. When an unsuspecting fish goes after the tongue, the turtle snaps its mouth shut and eats the fish instead.
Predators and prey are in a constant battle to gain an advantage that will help them survive. Whenever a predator develops an advantage that helps them acquire prey, there is selective pressure on the prey to adapt and find a way to avoid this new method of predation. The organisms that most effectively adapt to and avoid predation will survive and reproduce.

Predator/Prey Interactions
A predator is an animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.
Conversely, prey is a term used to describe animals that are hunted and killed by predators. The interactions between a predator and its prey, as well as the interactions between an herbivore and the plants it eats, are some of the most powerful driving forces behind evolution.
Predation is a strong, selective pressure that drives prey organisms to find ways to avoid being eaten. Prey organisms that are difficult to find, catch or consume are the ones that will survive and reproduce. The result is that over evolutionary time, prey organisms have developed a stunning array of strategies to avoid being eaten. Some defensive strategies are pretty obvious, and top among the list of obvious strategies is running away. Gazelle, deer, small mammals and lizards often rely on their speed and quickness to escape predators, and many birds rely on flight as their primary defensive strategy. Some organisms, like armadillos, tortoises, porcupines and thorny plants, use armor, quills and thorns to defend themselves against predators.
Predators can also use some of the strategies already mentioned to help them capture or kill their prey. Cheetahs use speed to outrun their prey, and eagles, hawks, owls and falcons use flight to their advantage while hunting. Venomous snakes, spiders and wasps use poisons to either kill or immobilize their prey. Some predators even use mimicry to capture prey. The alligator snapping turtle uses its pink worm-like tongue as a lure to draw fish right into its mouth. The turtle will sit submerged underwater with its mouth wide open and flail its tongue around like a writhing worm. When an unsuspecting fish goes after the tongue, the turtle snaps its mouth shut and eats the fish instead.
Predators and prey are in a constant battle to gain an advantage that will help them survive. Whenever a predator develops an advantage that helps them acquire prey, there is selective pressure on the prey to adapt and find a way to avoid this new method of predation. The organisms that most effectively adapt to and avoid predation will survive and reproduce.