En Garde! - Defence In the Animal Kingdom Quiz

Answer: It relies on a goby fish to keep watch

The eyes of prey are generally located on the sides of their head, giving them the widest possible field of view. The one disadvantage of this is that they cannot judge distance very well - a problem not encountered by most predators, which usually have forward facing eyes.

Lookouts and sentries can be found in groups of meerkats and rabbits, but the snapping shrimp and shrimp goby are an unusual example of interspecies mutualism. In return for keeping watch, the goby is given access to the shelter which the snapping shrimp builds.

Answer: It has large black eyespots, giving it a snake-like appearance

The larvae of the spicebush swallowtail have large black eyespots and colouring which gives them a snake-like appearance. While this insect tries to mimic another animal, others insects try to impersonate inanimate objects, e.g. stick insects, mantids and thorn bugs.

Answer: The California ground squirrel

The tail is effectively used as a form of defence by many animals. For example, beavers slap their tails on water, warning each other of danger, rattlesnakes will use their rattle to ward off other animals, geckos will readily shed their tail if it is grabbed, and larger lizards, such as monitors, will use their tail as a whip. The California ground squirrel raises the temperature of its tail by several degrees, almost doubling its size when detected by the thermo-sensory organs located in pits on the snake's face.

The tail can be used as an instrument of attack as well as defence. The Sahara sand viper has a tail which moves in a fashion similar to that of a worm. Small mammals and reptiles which are lured by this worm will end up as the viper's next meal!

Answer: The Texas horned lizard

This method of defence is, understandably, the last resort of animals such as the Texas horned lizard. The sluggish appearance and sharp spines of this lizard will usually be enough to deter predators. However, when it needs to, it is capable of shooting 35% of its total volume of blood up to 5 feet. As well as being a frightening display, the blood contains foul tasting chemicals.

Answer: They curl up and sink to the sea bed

This fish, which can only be found in South Africa, aims to confuse predators by totally changing its shape. The vulnerable head is covered by tough fins as the catshark sinks, so as to protect itself if it is attacked.

Answer: The water dikkop

Choosing to nest in riverbanks, the water dikkop often encounters these large reptiles. It spreads its wings and lowers its neck, and its aggressive charge is surprisingly effective. There is some speculation that dikkops will work with crocodiles, as each is very territorial and will defend the other's eggs (as well as their own) from robbing monitor lizards.

Answer: The yellow bellied toad

This amphibian's defensive action is hardly cowardly, and its name is a literal description of its appearance - its underside is usually bright blue and yellow. Like many frogs and toads, this display intends to advertise to predators that this animal secretes toxic chemicals from their skin.

Amphibian defences are more than just bright colours, however. The common toad can inflate itself when threatened, and the four eyed frog will display its two large black eyespots on its backside so as to intimidate predators.

Answer: Bleeker's parrotfish

Bleeker's parrotfish sleep in rock crevasses, but can be dragged out and eaten if they are smelled by a predator. The mucus coat, however, blocks off most of the scent which the parrotfish gives off.

The lungfish has also been known to cover itself in a mucus coat in the event of a river drying up. The lungfish will remain inactive in this membrane until water returns to the area.

Answer: The bombardier beetle

The bombardier beetle's abdomen will pulse several times a second. The mixture contains hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide, which react together just before release, producing large amounts of heat. This corrosive mix destroys its targets (usually ants), but the beetle itself is largely unaffected by this spray which covers it.

Answer: They will cook the hornet to death

Hornets, with their large jaws and powerful stings, can pose a huge problem to beehives. If a scout hornet is able to find and mark a hive, the entire population can be wiped out. The Asiatic honeybees prevent this by covering the scout hornet with their own bodies.

The bees vibrate strongly, raising their collective temperature significantly. This temperature is slightly below the limit which the bees can tolerate, but slightly above that which can be tolerated by the hornet. The hornet is therefore literally cooked to death.