'Matador' guppies trick predators
Date:
June 11, 2020
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Trinidadian guppies behave like matadors, focusing a predator's point of attack before dodging away at the last moment, new research shows.
Trinidadian guppies behave like matadors, focusing a predator's point of attack before dodging away at the last moment, new research shows.
The tiny fish (10-40mm) draw attention by turning their irises black, which makes their eyes very conspicuous.
This encourages pike cichlids -- a large fish that is the guppies' main predator -- to charge at their head rather than their body.
The international study, led by the University of Exeter, found guppies then use their lightning reflexes to whip their head out of the way, causing the predators to miss, before swimming away.
Many fish, including guppies, often approach their predators to find out if they are hungry and thus a current threat.
More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200611152417.htm
= new reply since forum marked as read
