How to Survive in the Middle of the Food Chain Quiz

Answer: It squirts blood from its eye.

Autohaemorrhaging, also called reflex bleeding, is a defence mechanism used by several subspecies of beetles, snakes and lizards. The coast horn lizard is able to squirt blood from small vessels around the eye by increasing its blood pressure. The blood can reach a distance of up to five feet, and the lizard can even aim the blood stream at potential predators.

Answer: It forms a cocoon to hide its scent from predators.

The queen parrotfish, as well as some other parrotfish species, extrude mucus from their mouths in order to form a protective cocoon before they go to sleep. The cocoon covers the whole fish and hides the fish's scent from predators. Some biologists, like Gerard J. Geertjes, assume that the cocoon also acts as a warning system.

When possible predators touch the cocoon's membrane it allows the parrotfish to flee in time.

Answer: It emits a hot chemical spray from specialized glands.

The bombardier beetle has a fascinating and effective defense mechanism. When it senses danger, it combines two chemical substances stored in separate glands in its abdomen. These chemicals mix and react, producing a hot, noxious spray that can be directed accurately at the threat.

This chemical reaction can reach temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) and can deter potential predators.

Answer: It breaks its own toe bones to form claws.

The hairy frog is native to Central Africa. The most distinctive features of its defense strategy are specialized adaptations in its hind feet that include retractable claws. These claws are usually covered by a thin layer of skin and remain hidden when the frog is at rest.

However, when the hairy frog feels threatened, it can intentionally break the bones in its toe joints. This action pushes the claws through the skin, essentially turning the frog's feet into sharp, claw-like structures. This transformation allows the frog to use its "claws" as an effective defensive tool against potential attackers.

When confronted by a predator or any perceived threat, the hairy frog aggressively extends its "claws" outward. This not only serves as a deterrent to predators but also gives the frog the ability to deliver painful slashes if attacked. The claws act as an intimidating and potentially harmful defense mechanism.

After the threat has passed, the hairy frog's toe bones eventually heal, and the skin covering the claws grows back, hiding the sharp structures once again until needed for defense in the future.

Answer: It snaps its oversized claw, creating a loud sonic boom.

The primary defense mechanism of the pistol shrimp lies in its remarkable ability to create a loud and powerful sonic blast. This is achieved through a specialized claw structure that sets it apart from other shrimp species.

The larger of the two claws of the pistol shrimp is significantly asymmetrical. It has a modified shape that allows it to function like a spring-loaded mechanism. The shrimp can cock back this specialized claw like a pistol, hence the name "pistol shrimp".

When the shrimp wants to defend itself, it contracts its claw muscles, building up potential energy in the process. It then releases this energy by snapping the claw shut with extreme speed. This rapid closure creates a cavitation bubble in the surrounding water due to the sudden decrease in pressure. The collapsing bubble produces a loud popping sound and a high-speed water jet. The pistol shrimp's sonic blast is loud and stunning and is primarily used for self-defense, scaring off potential predators.

Answer: It inflates its body.

When a pufferfish feels threatened by a potential predator, it has the ability to rapidly ingest water or air and expand its body size significantly. This inflation is possible due to elastic tissues in its skin and stomach that can stretch without causing harm to the animal.

As the pufferfish inflates, its body expands, and its once-flat shape transforms into a larger, rounder form. It also erects its spines, which are normally flat against the body. These erect spines make the pufferfish appear larger and more prickly, creating a deterrent to potential predators.

Answer: It produces copious amounts of slimy mucus.

The hagfish (Myxini) is an ancient and primitive jawless fish found in deep ocean waters around the world. It is often referred to as a "living fossil" due to its ancient lineage and unique characteristics. While the hagfish doesn't possess conventional defensive features like sharp teeth or powerful limbs, it has evolved a fascinating and effective defense strategy that helps it survive in its challenging environment. It involves the production of copious amounts of slimy mucus. When the hagfish feels threatened or attacked by predators, it excretes a sticky and slippery mucus from specialized glands located along its body. This slimy substance can rapidly expand in water, forming a dense cloud of mucus that confuses and deters potential threats.

The slimy mucus serves multiple purposes as a defense mechanism:

Escape: When attacked, the hagfish secretes the mucus, which allows it to slip out of the grasp of predators. The mucus makes it difficult for predators to maintain a firm grip on the hagfish, allowing it to escape and seek safety.

Distraction: The mucus cloud acts as a decoy, diverting the predator's attention away from the hagfish. While the predator is occupied with the cloud of mucus, the hagfish can use the opportunity to swim away and avoid further danger.

Suffocation: The mucus is highly suffocating, particularly for gill-breathing predators. It can clog the gills of predators, making it challenging for them to breathe and hindering their ability to continue the attack.

Answer: It expels a cloud of sticky, adhesive goo.

The velvet worm (also called "bomber worm") belongs to the phylum Onychophora. When threatened, velvet worms release a sticky and viscous substance from specialized glands called "oral papillae" located around their mouths. This adhesive substance acts as a defense mechanism, entangling and immobilizing potential predators or threats, giving the velvet worm a chance to escape from danger.

Answer: sea urchin

Sea urchins are marine creatures equipped with long, sharp spines or quills that cover their spherical bodies. When threatened by predators or other potential threats, sea urchins can extend and maneuver their spines as a defensive tactic. The sharp spines act as a formidable barrier, protecting them from predators and deterring any attempts to attack or consume them.

The sea urchin's spines are coated in venomous substances, adding an additional layer of defense against potential threats.

Answer: It mimics the appearance and behavior of other sea creatures.

The mimic octopus can imitate the physical features and movements of various animals to deceive and confuse potential predators. Some of the creatures it mimics include venomous species that predators would typically avoid. By adopting the appearance of dangerous or unpalatable animals, the mimic octopus increases its chances of avoiding predation.

Some of the mimicry tactics demonstrated by the mimic octopus include lionfish, sea snake, sea anemone, flatfish, jellyfish, toxic sea slug and many more. By employing these convincing mimicry tactics, the mimic octopus can avoid being recognized as prey by its potential predators.