Animal Defenses

Animal Defenses. Written by Deborah Sussman. Focus Question. What are some ways that animals defend themselves?

动物的防御本领 作者：黛博拉·萨斯曼 核心问题 动物都有哪些自我防御的方法呢？

Introduction. In the wild, many animals eat other animals. These predators are always on the hunt for their next meal. Their prey, however, don't just sit around waiting to be eaten. These animals have developed many ways to defend themselves.

引言。 在野外，很多动物会捕食其他动物。 这些捕食者总在四处觅食寻找下一顿美食。 不过它们的猎物可不会乖乖待在原地等着被吃掉。 这些动物进化出了许许多多自我防御的本领。

claws, teeth, spikes. Lions, tigers, and bears have sharp teeth and claws. Some smaller animals, like house cats and raccoons, also have them.

爪子、牙齿、尖刺 狮子、老虎和熊都长着锋利的牙齿和爪子 一些更小的动物，比如家猫和浣熊，也有锋利的爪牙哦

Some animals have sharp spikes to keep predators away. Porcupines are covered in sharp spikes called quills. The quills are made of the same stuff as human hair and fingernails. The quills can stick in predators' skin like needles. Hedgehogs also have quills. When hedgehogs are attacked, they roll up in a ball so all their quills point out.

有些动物长着尖利的尖刺，能把捕食者赶跑 豪猪浑身都长满了叫做“棘刺”的尖利尖刺 这些棘刺的构成成分和人类的头发、指甲是一样的 这些棘刺能像针一样扎进捕食者的皮肤里 刺猬也长有棘刺哦 当刺猬遭到攻击时， 它们会把身体蜷成一个球，这样所有的棘刺就都朝外啦

Animals that use venom. Some animals can hurt or even kill predators with a bite or a sting. These animals deliver venom to defend themselves.

用毒液防御的动物 有些动物咬一口或者蛰一下就能伤到甚至杀死捕食者 这些动物通过释放毒液来保护自己

Some snakes have venom. The venom in the bite of a king cobra is strong enough to kill an elephant. Bees, wasps, and some ants also have venom. All spiders have fangs, and most spiders have venom, too.

有些蛇是有毒的 眼镜王蛇一口释放的毒液毒性强到足以杀死一头大象 蜜蜂、黄蜂还有一些蚂蚁也带有毒液 所有的蜘蛛都长有毒牙，大部分蜘蛛也都带有毒液