But gut-gouging horns, venomous fangs, stampeding hooves and sharp canines aren’t enough to deter the big players. So why go after a meal that can kill them? Sometimes the reward outweighs the risk.
When it comes to a battle of brawn, the lion’s lust for buffalo is the ultimate showdown. Lions are legendary predators and with the support of the pride, they use teamwork and formidable strength to bring down their favorite quarry. A large male buffalo can outweigh a lion four times. He has huge horns, reinforced with bone and reputedly; he’s the most aggressive animal on the African savanna. He’s not an easy target, but if they can bring him down, his bulk can feed the pride for almost a week, so risking their lives is worth the generous meal.
But it’s not all about brawn; some predators mesmerize their prey in a delicate dance. The pint-sized mongoose is no pushover. They don’t use strength to take down their quarry, they use speed and agility. Like a boxer in the ring, they dance circles around their opponent until they land the knockout shot. He’ll even take his chances against one of the deadliest snakes on the planet – he has an antidote to her potion – a special adaptation that simply rebuffs snake venom. And he’s not the only featherweight with special adaptations; cheetahs are not only honed for speed, they also have an enlarged claw which latches onto their prey during the chase. It’s handy to have a grappling hook when your prey is four times heavier and runs at 50mph.
For some, it’s an intellectual affair. Leopards have to outsmart their cunning nemesis – they exploit the poor night vision of their most dangerous quarry - using the cover of darkness, they ambush sleeping baboons and strangle them to death.
For both predator and prey, evolution has equally honed their tools to kill and their skills to defend – it’s levelled the playing field, maximizing the chances at survival on either side. A 50/50 chance of succeeding in a hunt isn’t great odds, but it means that half the time, the prey wins and survives. Even in the African wilderness, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.