Predator Prey Relationships
Because there is so much plant and animal life in tropical rainforests, there are many predator prey relationships. A predator
prey relationship is when one animal (the predator) uses another animal as a source of food (prey). Here are a few examples of predator prey relationships found in the rainforests.
prey relationship is when one animal (the predator) uses another animal as a source of food (prey). Here are a few examples of predator prey relationships found in the rainforests.
The Tiger and Wild Boar
Bengal Tigers can be found in Asia. They live not only in Asian tropical rain forests, but also in scrub and deciduous forests and mangroves. Their average weight is 310-420 pounds. They are very strong animals that can run and swim. They are nocturnal, so they sleep during the day and do their hunting at night. They are carnivores: they eat meat, not plants. They mainly hunt medium and large animals like the wild boar, sambar (deer), nilgai (antelope), guar (ox), and water buffalo. They will also sometimes hunt small animals like monkeys, peacocks, and rabbits. They are considered apex predators, because they are dominant predators at the center of the food web. Their biggest threat is not from other predators but from loss of habitat due to deforestation and hunting by humans. The tigers are hunted by Chinese poachers for use in traditional medicine. They are also seen as threats or pests by some and are hunted for that reason. Because of these threats, tigers are an endangered animal.
One of the Bengal tiger's prey is the wild boar. The wild boar habitat include temperate and rain forests, wetlands, savannah, and scrubland. They can be found in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa. There are many different types of wild boars from the small pygmy hog (1 to 2 feet long and 14 to 21 pounds) to the Eurasian wild pig (up to 3.6 feet tall and 710 pounds). Wild boars are omnivores, eating both plants and animals. They eat animals like small reptiles and mammals; and, they eat plants like grasses, water plants, and fruits. They are mostly active during the dawn or dusk or they are nocturnal. They rest during the day in burrows or hollows in grassy areas. They are prey for many predators like tigers, lynx, leopards, wolves, bears, and humans. However, they are not an endangered animals. This might be because they reproduce rapidly and because some of their predators (like tigers) have been declining.
One of the Bengal tiger's prey is the wild boar. The wild boar habitat include temperate and rain forests, wetlands, savannah, and scrubland. They can be found in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa. There are many different types of wild boars from the small pygmy hog (1 to 2 feet long and 14 to 21 pounds) to the Eurasian wild pig (up to 3.6 feet tall and 710 pounds). Wild boars are omnivores, eating both plants and animals. They eat animals like small reptiles and mammals; and, they eat plants like grasses, water plants, and fruits. They are mostly active during the dawn or dusk or they are nocturnal. They rest during the day in burrows or hollows in grassy areas. They are prey for many predators like tigers, lynx, leopards, wolves, bears, and humans. However, they are not an endangered animals. This might be because they reproduce rapidly and because some of their predators (like tigers) have been declining.
The Burmese Python and Red Muntjac
Burmese pythons can be found rainforests and grassy marshes in Southeast Asia. These snakes cam be very large, up to 23 feet long and 200 pounds. When they are young they live mainly in trees, but as they grow older they live on the ground. Although they live on the ground, they can swim and stay underwater for 30 minutes without surfacing for air. Burmese pythons are carnivores mainly eating small mammals, reptiles, and birds. When swimming the the water, they can also eat fish. They kill their prey using constriction. They wrap their long bodies around their prey and squeeze them until they suffocate. Their jaws are so stretchy that they can swallow their food whole. Large pythons can even eat larger mammals like the red muntjac, a type of Asian deer. While no animal preys on these pythons, they are still a threatened species. This is because they are hunted for pet trade as well as for their skins and meat. Also, they are declining because of deforestation of their habitat.
The Red Muntjac is a type of Asian deer that can be found in all types of forests (including rainforests) and sometimes grasslands. They are usually nocturnal, or active at night and at rest during the day. They are one species of "barking deer" that get that name from the barking noise they make when in danger. They are a larger barking deer species that can weight up to 61 pounds and stand 1.8 feet (shoulder-height). They are omnivores eating mainly plants like leaves, shoots, tree bark, and grass. They also eat small vertebrates that live on the forest floor. Muntjacs are an important part of the food web. They are prey for many large predators like tigers, large pythons, and crocodiles.
The Red Muntjac is a type of Asian deer that can be found in all types of forests (including rainforests) and sometimes grasslands. They are usually nocturnal, or active at night and at rest during the day. They are one species of "barking deer" that get that name from the barking noise they make when in danger. They are a larger barking deer species that can weight up to 61 pounds and stand 1.8 feet (shoulder-height). They are omnivores eating mainly plants like leaves, shoots, tree bark, and grass. They also eat small vertebrates that live on the forest floor. Muntjacs are an important part of the food web. They are prey for many large predators like tigers, large pythons, and crocodiles.