Скачать или смотреть AMAZING Animal Survival Tactics

From shape-shifting cephalopods … to gators chilling in the ice ... Here are 17 amazing animal survival tactics

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#8 Spiny Mouse
These little critters are the only mammals known that will release chunks of their skin to escape the clutches of a predator. But they’re also able to completely regenerate that lost skin, along with their sweat glands, fur, and cartilage. Did you know that researchers think that other mammals (including humans) might possess the same types of genes that allow for this regenerative ability?

#7 Sea cucumber
It’s understandable why most marine predators will avoid these animals. Not only do they carry a toxin called ‘holothurin’ (hol-ah-thur-in), they engage in a behavior called ‘evisceration’. Sticky tubules and other organs are liquified and then expelled at a predator through the beast’s backside. That serves to entangle the aggressor long enough to for the sea cucumber to flee. Whatever organs were lost during the evisceration process will grow back within a couple of weeks. Their other tactic is to simply release holothurin into the water which kills enemies within the vicinity.

#6 Pangolins
While it can resemble an armadillo, the two species are unrelated. Found in Africa and Asia, they do employ a survival tactic that is similar to armadillos. Pangolins will roll themselves up into a protective ball, and allow their armor-like scales to protect them. The overlapping, scaly plating resembles a type of chain mail. The scales are razor sharp, and that serves as an extra measure of defense. Pangolins can also emit a foul-smelling odor from their rear glands, similar to a skunk’s spray. But they are not related to skunks, either.

#5 Leafy Sea Dragon
Native to the waters of southern and western Australia, these marine fish get their common name from the long protrusions that emanate from all over their body. The leaf-like structures actually serve only one purpose, that of camouflage. The lobes of skin give the animals the appearance of seaweed, making them appear like floating bits of the marine plants in the eyes of predators. Depending on factors including their age and diet, Leafies can also change their color to more effectively blend into their environment.

#4 Playing Opossum
Possums and Opossums are both marsupials, but they belong to different species. The former is found in Australia and some other countries, while the latter is native to North America. And that species is famous for playing dead to escape a predator. It’s one of the best known survival strategies in the animal kingdom. But did you know the behavior is involuntary? Opossums can’t control their reaction to stress any more than a human can faint on cue. The animals will also foam at the mouth to make aggressors believe that it’s too toxic to eat. To make the performance even more convincing, the marsupial will secrete an evil-smelling green substance that has a skunk-like stench. The near-comatose state can last upwards of four hours.

#3 Chill Crocodilians
American alligators are found mostly throughout the southeastern US where they enjoy warmer temperatures. Anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees C) constitutes Antarctica for these beasts. But should the temperature drop, the gators have ways of dealing with the cold. The tactic is called brumation. It’s kind of like hibernation, except the reptiles remain fully aware. If they’re caught in freezing water, the gator will slow down its metabolism. That allows it to go without food and basically chill for several months until the weather warms up. How do they breathe during all this? The alligators are known to stick their snouts out of the water as it freezes over, and that works as a type of snorkel which provides oxygen. Experts say that the American alligator can tolerate cooler conditions better than any other crocodilian.

#2 Mimic Octopus
Going about 2 feet long (60 cm), these small cephalopods have some enormous abilities, including the talent of actually altering their texture to blend in with their habitat. They are found in waters of the Indo Pacific. And their survival strategy is pretty well summed up by their common name. This species of octopus can effectively mimic the appearance of an estimated 15 marine animals, including sea snakes, jellyfish and lionfish. Experts say that assuming the appearance of these particular creatures proves effective in deterring predators since they’re known to be venomous. To date, the mimic octopus is the only such animal known to elude predators by imitating such a diverse range of local marine life.


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