Page 83 - One Million Things: Animal Life - The Incredible Visual Guide

3 BETWEEN SPECIES 5 HEAD ON 7 WARNING CALL
In the African savanna, when an animal dies or At the start of their breeding season in the fall, In the fall, male red deer round up females to
is killed, vultures crowd around the remains, male bighorn sheep have head-butting prevent them from mating with other males.
fighting among themselves for scraps. When contests. Two males run at each other, ramming They roar at their rivals, the loudness of their
scavenging hyenas arrive, the vultures scatter, their heads together. This can go on for hours bellowing indicating their fighting ability.
returning to the carcass to feed warily in the until one male gives up. The overall “winner” Roaring alone may ensure a stag’s success, but if
presence of these powerful carnivores. within the herd mates with the most females. not, he locks antlers with rivals and fights.

4 STAG BEETLES 6 DECLARING TERRITORY 8 ON THE BEACH
With their massive jaws it might appear that Songbirds do not sing to give us pleasure but During their breeding season, male elephant
male stag beetles catch large prey. In fact, they to tell other members of their species to keep seals strive to command the largest territory
feed on tree sap and use their jaws to fight other out of their territory. European robins, for and the most females. Initially, a male makes
males for mates and favored mating sites. The example, defend the territory that supplies booming noises to intimidate rivals. If that
winning male lifts an opponent and turns him them and their offspring with food. Persistent fails, the enormous creatures fight on the
onto his back. The loser then retreats uninjured. intruders are attacked and driven out. beach, inflicting wounds until one retreats.

Antlers
used for Competing male
fighting seals bite and
push against
each other

7

8

5

6

9 LIZARD THREAT
Many lizards change color or perform some
other display when their territory is threatened.
9
A male green anole flicks down its pink dewlap
(throat fan) to warn off intruders. It emphasizes
Beak opens wide as the Pink the message by bobbing its head up and down.
European robin sings to dewlap
defend its territory exposed as
a threat

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