Stripes vs Stripes!

The Striped Hyena of India is not only an efficient scavenger but some large specimens have also been reported to hunt their own prey. These animals are considered cowards by folklore, due to their habit of feigning death when attacked. In actuality, they are known to be quite fearless, even standing their ground against predators like leopards in disputes over a kill. Striped Hyenas are the smallest of the true hyenas, retaining viverrid characteristics that are lost in the larger species. Pairs are monogamous, assisting one another in raising the pups.


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.

Doctor Plover!

Symbiosis- a relationship in which both partners benefit from each other. One such example is that of the Nile Crocodile and the Egyptian Plover. The crocodile opens its mouth wide to let the plover in. the plover gets a free meal by cleaning the crocodile’s teeth clear of food debris, not getting eaten in return and not even paying the bills for its meal. Considering the fact that crocodiles love rotten, decaying meat, the plover's job doesn't seem to be one for the squeamish!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.

Safety in numbers

Safety in numbers is a protective measure adopted by many animals for surviving in the harsh natural world. It is best seen in herds of herbivores such as deer and antelope. These creatures feed and roam about in large herds, and when one eats, the other is vigilant about predators. This phenomenon also helps the animals to trick predators, as choosing a specific target from a large herd often becomes very difficult.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.