IN FOR THE KILL

It’s one of the most dramatic events in the natural world. When a predator goes In For the Kill prey scatters, dust flies, and claws and teeth draw red. But how do nature’s killing machines pull off these epic feats of speed, cunning and agility? Some use stealth to hide in plain sight. Camouflaged markings and hidden tunnels give some predators the opportunity to deliver their lethal strike. Evolution has created insects that mimic leaves, burrowing spiders ready to pounce, and an owl so silent engineers are turning to it for inspiration. Rather than wait for their prey to come to them, other predators reel them in with a lure. Why waste energy stalking prey, when a quick waggle of the tongue will have dinner delivered? Some predators take a more proactive approach to luring and come equipped with a fishing rod. But to understand the origins of luring, brand new scientific research must be examined. Getting up close and personal with prey can be risky for a predator, so some employ weaponry to claim their quarry. From lizards with tongues faster than the space shuttle, to the fish that turns water into a weapon, with deadly results. Others still opt for chemical warfare, delivering a venomous bite to digest their meal from the inside out. Working alone carries its own dangers and some killers find safety in numbers. Teaming up to take down prey can bring big rewards, often with less effort and lower risk. From lions on the African savanna to pelicans in the wetlands of Australia, teamwork can be found in almost every branch of the natural world, but surprising discoveries are still being made. The range of ingenious strategies displayed by animals that must hunt to survive seems almost limitless. But some species take a simpler approach: Speed! Whether in the air, on land, or under the sea, one of the quickest ways to catch your next meal is to out-fly, out-run or out-swim them. Over millions of years, predators have perfected countless ways to trick, ambush and overcome their prey. Necessity is the mother of invention, and when it comes to killing, the animal kingdom has it all.