Prey

Many prey animals have eyes to the side of their head, which gives them better peripheral vision. And some can run and leap at swift speeds.

Prey Definition

Prey refers to any animal that is killed and eaten by another animal. Prey animals can either be herbivores or predators themselves. Carnivores hunt their food, meaning they use other animals as food sources. Animals that kill and eat animals are called predators. Prey and predator interactions control populations and contribute to and help shape ecosystems. 

While we often think of deer and rabbits as prey animals, most species can be considered prey at one time or another. Even bigger animals fall prey to other big animals.

And prey and predator relationships are even more complicated than that. Predation doesn’t just consist of carnivores eating herbivores or smaller meat-eating animals. Herbivores are also considered predators because they prey on plants. And parasitism is predation because it consists of organisms feeding off a host. However, parasites don’t have to kill their hosts to feed. 

Prey Animal Example

Some common prey animals include:

• Gazelles
• Rabbits
• Deer
• Birds
• Fish
• Turtles
• Sheep
• Zebra

But many prey animals can also be predators. Humans are predators that kill and eat many types of animals. But can also be prey to animals like mosquitos, lice, ticks, bears, sharks, crocodiles, and alligators.

Characteristics of Prey Animals

Prey animals vary in many ways. But true prey animals, like deer and sheep, have special adaptations that help them survive despite their limited abilities. Many prey animals have eyes to the side of their head, which gives them better peripheral vision. And some can run and leap at swift speeds. Turtles have shells that make it harder for predators to break through, and other animals may possess spines or other features that make them harder to eat. Prey animals also travel and sleep in groups to keep themselves safe.

While it might seem cruel that so many animals are prey, they play an essential role in the ecosystem. Predator-prey relationships affect many aspects of an ecological community, such as biodiversity, nutrient cycling, disease, productivity, and carbon. Predators also keep prey populations under control. This relationship is a necessary delicate balance.