Rebecca Allbritton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>At 01:47 AM 3/14/00 -0600, Whitney Price wrote:
>>"I have never heard her squeak
>>while in labor nor do I recall the male thumping when she is in labor."
>>
>>It doesn't make sense for them to make noise--that would invite predators.
>>Humans are the only species I know of who make enough noise during labor to
>>get the attention of predators (like direct mail marketers, telemarketers,
>>insurance agents, etc....)
>>
>>Actually I remember a cat screeching as labor began, so I guess the
>>*predators* don't mind making a little noise, just not the prey species.
>
>Have I posted this to the list? I remember telling someone my theory, but
>cant' remember if I typed it. When strangers or threats come toward a mama
>predator and her babies, she stays nearby and guards them, but when threats
>come toward a prey species, the mama will run away, to try to draw the
>danger away from the babies. I think the different strategies are interesting.
>
>Rebecca...
I agree that these are generally true. However there are some species
that break this rule, mainly large herbivores or omnivores. For example,
elephants defend their young, as do rhinos. Wild pigs tend to be very
protective and charging wild boar is becoming a serious problem for
country walkers in some parts of Southern England where they have
escaped from farms.
The animals that tend to try and decoy are fast animals that do not have
a burrow or other permanent hide. For example, many species of deer and
antelope use this tactic.
Many large herding animals will keep the young in plain view whilst
threatening to charge predators, such as musk ox. These animals use the
size and strength of the herd to warn predators off. Obviously the
predators will tend to pick on isolated animals.
Other animals, such as sheep and goats simply rely on numbers and an
ability to move quickly on rough terrain. The young are quite mobile
from a day or so of age and will follow the mother. The mother will try
and lead the young away from danger whilst the large number of potential
prey moving together across difficult terrain will confuse the attacker.
Obviously pack tactics help defeat the latter two strategies by making
it easier to isolate members of the group.
For smaller animals, burrows are often used as a refuge. Obviously the
refuge will often be enough. Sometimes it will be defended. Gerbils seem
quite protective of their young, probably because they are capable of
fighting anything small enough to enter their burrows.
--
Julian
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* Jackie and Julian *
* [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* National Gerbil Society *
* http://www.gerbils.co.uk/ *
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