Among the animal relationships that bother people the most is the one of predator-prey. However in understanding that all animals must eat to survive, people can accept the dynamic relationship between predators and their prey. One aspect of this relationship is that they keep each other in check. For example, prairie dogs would breed uncontrollably unless black-footed ferret ate them. Crudely speaking, the number of prairie dogs determines the numbers of ferrets. The predator and prey relationship is the “Ying and Yang” of nature.
If there is too much of one kind of animal, the rest will suffer. Stories about animals overrunning places abound. Since there are so few wolves around, deer have multiplied. Because there are so many deer, the bark of many trees has been stripped off. Now, deer are invading people’s yards in search of food. With the deer comes Lyme Disease, which sickens people.
From a prey’s point of view, predators teach defense skills. When confronted with danger, prairie dogs bark a warning, and hide in their burrows. Manatees flee, while a sloth hides in plain sight. A hedgehog rolls into a ball that a fox cannot open up. In the meantime, grey kangaroo kicks her predator to death.
As for predators, they have to develop strategies to get their food. Black-footed ferrets burrow into prairie dog towns at night, when prairie dogs are sleeping. Dragonflies, the Hawks of the Insect World, swoop down and kill other insects. Wolves work in packs to bring down a moose. Mata Mata, a side-necked turtle, resembles a pile of leaves. Living at the bottom of the Amazon River, this turtle wiggles his tongue to entice unsuspecting fish to come near.
Sometimes predator and prey form a partnership. Wrasse (cleaner fish) will nibble parasites, bacteria, and dead skin off of a moray eel. In return for letting the fish clean him, moray eel receives protection for various diseases. Meanwhile, wrasse gets a meal.
To learn more about the dynamics of predator-prey relationships, pick a pair of animals to study. See how they interact. For example, Great White Shark’s favorite food is Elephant Seal. On the surface, this seems strange since Elephant Seal is Himself noted for his strength and ferocity. However, study the animals together to see what wisdom they impart in their relationship.
Great White Shark is an apex predator in the ocean; only Orca (Killer Whale) can kill Her. For some unknown reason, when Great White Sharks reach a certain size and age, They become female. Swimming in the oceans since the time of the dinosaurs, Great White Shark is acclaimed for her speed and efficiency. During that time, She developed her well-known torpedo-shaped body and eight senses. Great White Shark is aptly called “Queen of the Seas.”
Meanwhile, Elephant Seal lives in a male dominant society. He fights with other Bulls, to the death, to possess an Elephant Seal Harem. This massive animal’s roar can be heard long distances away. The only animals that prey on Him are Orca and Great White Shark.
Study the interaction between these two animals. How does Elephant Seal defend Himself against Great White Shark’s sneak attacks? What lessons do They have to teach? For one thing, Great White Shark and Elephant Seal balance each other out. One is male; the other is female. Great White Shark lives in a matriarchy, with Queen Mother Shark eating first. Elephant Seal lives in a patriarchy with his harems. What lessons of maleness and femaleness can be learned from them?
Consider that both swim in the ocean, but Elephant Seal lives on land. How does that relate to Great White Shark? Elephant Seal can escape since He is a Mammal, not a Fish. Great White Shark counters that advantage with her eight senses. One of which is being able to sense a beating heart at long distances. As you delve into learning about these animals, you discover how they interact with each other, as well as, the important lessons they impart.
The predator and prey relationship is an important one to study. When you ponder the animals’ interactions, you realize that they are more than the sum of their parts. For example, Elephant Seal and Great White Shark move from a position of strength. They use their strength and intelligence in different ways. Learn from them how to make your way in the world.
Purchase from Lulu Publishing: "Finding Your Animal Teachers"
Photo of Great White Shark courtesy of U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Va. Carper