Defence mechanism (biology)
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- The following article is about the biological aspect of defence mechanism; it is also used in psychology. For an article about that specific subject visit Defence mechanism.
Many animals have developed physical Defence mechanisms (British spelling; Defense mechanisms in American English) which act, as evolutionary characteristics in a similar way to psychological defences.
Grazing animals often feed in herds. When a predator attacks, the animals scatter in different directions which confuses the predator and allows the animals to escape. Some animals never venture too far from their home in underground dens or thick vegetation and can quickly hide when danger approaches. Many animals have keen senses of sight, smell, and hearing so that they can detect danger and escape. Some animals have horns or antlers to fight off predators. Some animals are active only at night when it is harder for predators to find them.
Many animals rely on camouflage or the ability to blend in with their surroundings to hide from predators. A few animals are even poisonous or unpleasant-tasting, and predators soon learn to leave such animals alone. These poisonous kinds of animals are often brightly colored, as well, which acts as a warning to predators.
Some animals use chemicals which they spray from various parts of their bodies to deter predators. A few animals rely on trickery and copy the defences of other animals to protect themselves.
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