Animals That Scare to Survive

by Edna Torres, age 6

Some animals will often make themselves appear intimidating to protect their lives. For example, some animals will roar or enlarge their bodies to defend themselves.

One creature that does this is the male stag beetle. These beetles have large, impressive jaws, but can’t actually bite with them. Instead, they use their jaws to fight other males for mating rights.

Another creature with daunting features is the frilled lizard. This lizard is not harmful but can be intimidating when it is threatened. This lizard spreads its frills wide, creating a large, frightening appearance to scare off predators.

Larger creatures like the howler monkey use their voice to release loud, booming calls to fend off predators that get too close. Another animal that changes its appearance is the cobra. When it feels threatened, its hood expands, making it appear larger. The cobra may also use its venom to defend itself.

There are various ways animals express fear or a sense of danger. People should be aware of the signals these animals use in case they encounter them.

[Source: The Encyclopedia of Animals]