Tag

Predation

All articles tagged with #predation

environment8 days ago•29 min saved

Optimal oyster reef geometry boosts recruit survival by mitigating predators

The study shows that oyster recruit survival is maximized not just by surface area but by specific 3D reef architectures. By creating 16 artificial habitats that span fractal dimension and height range and testing them with and without predator access across three estuaries, researchers found a hump-shaped recruitment response driven by predator mediation. Optimal values (fractaI dimension ~2.41, height ~7.96 cm) yielded ~35% higher oyster densities than less favorable configurations, and natural reefs clustered near these optima, offering a blueprint for restoration that integrates geometry with ecosystem engineering to enhance reef persistence.

via Nature|

#environment #fractal-dimension #habitat-complexity

science21 days ago•3 min saved

Juvenile Sauropods Fueled Jurassic Predators, New Ecological Web Reveals

Reconstructing a detailed Jurassic ecosystem from Dry Mesa Quarry fossils shows that baby sauropods were abundant prey, forming many predator links and feeding carnivores like Allosaurus and Torvosaurus. This plentiful supply may have kept top predators smaller for a time and influenced later evolutionary shifts toward larger hunters such as Tyrannosaurus rex.

via ScienceAlert|

#food-web #jurassic #paleoecology

science3 months ago•3 min saved

Orcas Attack and Devour Great White Sharks Off Baja California

A pod of orcas in the Gulf of California has been observed hunting and devouring the livers of young great white sharks, indicating that orca predation on these sharks may be more common than previously thought, showcasing their advanced hunting strategies and social learning.

via Ynetnews|

#baja-california #great-white-sharks #marine-biology

science3 months ago•4 min saved

Orcas Terrorize Great White Sharks by Targeting Their Livers

Researchers observed orcas in the Gulf of California repeatedly attacking juvenile great white sharks by flipping them upside down to induce tonic immobility, then extracting their livers, revealing a new and strategic predation behavior in this region.

via Live Science|

#great-white-sharks #gulf-of-california #marine-biology

science4 months ago•3 min saved

High-Speed Videos Unveil Venomous Snake Strike Secrets

Scientists used high-speed cameras to capture in unprecedented detail how venomous snakes strike their prey, revealing that most vipers bite within 0.1 seconds, and different snake families employ various attack strategies, enhancing understanding of snake predation mechanics.

via Live Science|

#biomechanics #high-speed-video #predation

science4 months ago•0 min saved

Bats Hunt and Eat Birds Midair, Revealing a Fierce Predatory Behavior

Scientists have documented for the first time a bat, specifically the greater noctule bat in Europe, catching and eating a bird in midair during migration, revealing an unexpected predator of high-altitude migrating birds.

via The New York Times|

#bats #greater-noctule-bat #high-altitude

science4 months ago•3 min saved

Bats Hunt and Eat Birds Midair: New Evidence

Scientists used tiny backpacks with microphones and sensors to confirm that Europe's largest bat, the greater noctule, hunts and eats songbirds mid-flight, revealing a fighter jet-like pursuit behavior and providing insights into their feeding habits and conservation needs.

via The Times|

#bats #bird-hunting #noctule

science5 months ago•3 min saved

Early Humans Were Prey, Not Predators, by Leopards

New research suggests Homo habilis was hunted by leopards, challenging the idea that it was the first human species to become an apex predator, and instead indicating it was more prey than predator, with Homo erectus possibly being the first to dominate the food chain.

via IFLScience|

#evolution #homo-habilis #leopards

science-and-nature1 year ago•3 min saved

Slingshot Spiders: Nature's Precision Hunters on the Misty Riverbanks

Researchers have discovered that slingshot spiders, found along Ohio's riverbanks, use a unique hunting technique similar to Roman gladiators by launching their webs at prey using sound detection. These spiders can detect the sound of approaching insects, like mosquitoes, and release their webs with remarkable speed and precision, intercepting prey in just 38 milliseconds. The study highlights the spiders' ability to compare vibrations through their webs and the air to accurately target their prey.

via BBC Discover Wildlife|

#predation #research #science-and-nature

science1 year ago•4 min saved

Orcas Develop Unique Strategy to Hunt Giant Whale Sharks

New research has documented how an orca pod off the coast of Mexico hunts whale sharks, the world's largest fish. The orcas use a strategic method to flip the sharks belly-up, inducing a state of tonic immobility, before targeting their nutrient-rich livers. This behavior, captured in images and videos, marks the first detailed observation of orcas preying on whale sharks, suggesting a potential new ecotype in the Gulf of California. Despite the predation, there are no significant impacts on the whale shark population in the area.

via CNN|

#ecotypes #marine-biology #orcas

wildlife1 year ago

Orcas Master New Hunting Tactics Against Whale Sharks

Killer whales have been observed hunting whale sharks and consuming their livers, showcasing their sophisticated hunting techniques and dietary preferences. This behavior highlights the orcas' adaptability and intelligence in targeting specific prey for nutrient-rich organs.

via The New York Times|

#animalbehavior #killerwhales #marinebiology

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Orca Pod in Mexico Masters Whale Shark Hunting

Scientists have documented orcas in the Southern Gulf of California hunting whale sharks, marking the first confirmed instances of this behavior. Over six years, researchers observed orcas, particularly a male named Moctezuma, using collaborative techniques to target the pelvic area of whale sharks, causing them to bleed out and allowing access to their liver. This discovery highlights the orcas' adaptability and raises concerns about the potential impact on whale shark populations and the need for careful conservation efforts in the region.

via Gizmodo|

#gulf-of-california #marine-biology #orcas

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Record-Breaking Predation Event Documented in Norway

Researchers from MIT and the Institute of Marine Research in Norway recorded the largest predation event ever, where over 10 million capelin were consumed by 2.5 million cod off Norway's coast. Using advanced underwater-acoustic sensing, the team observed the predator-prey dynamics over a vast area. This event highlights the risks of shoaling behavior and the importance of understanding such interactions, especially as many fish species face extinction threats. The study, published in Nature Communications Biology, underscores the potential ecological impacts of large-scale predation events.

via ScienceAlert|

#capelin #cod #ecosystem-dynamics

science1 year ago

Can You Outpace a Vampire Bat?

A recent study suggests that vampire bats are faster than previously thought, challenging the myth that humans can easily outrun them. This new understanding of their speed and agility highlights the bats' efficiency as predators and may influence how we perceive their threat level.

via The New York Times|

#animalbehavior #mythbusting #predation

marine-biology1 year ago•3 min saved

"Orca Whales' Ingenious Ambush Tactics and Unusual Prey Choices Revealed"

A new study reveals that a pod of 183 killer whales off the coast of California has been using a deep-sea canyon to trap and ambush their prey, including gray whale calves, elephant seals, minke whales, and dolphins. The orcas employ tactics such as tail slaps and body-blocking to separate and exhaust their prey before finishing them off and feeding on their carcasses. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for comprehending the impact of orcas on marine ecosystems and shaping conservation efforts to protect them from human threats.

via Business Insider|

#conservation #killer-whales #marine-biology