Little Killers: The Ferocious Lives of Puny Predators

Little Killers: The Ferocious Lives of Puny Predators — page 3
Hangin Out Chaetognaths spend a lot of time hanging suspended in the water Their horizontal fins help keep them from sinking very rapidly When they do sink or detect prey they dart forward using rapid muscle contractions in their bodies Chaetognaths have superb tools to help them ambush and seize their prey Their bodies are see through making them almost impossible to spot especially in the dim regions where they prefer to hunt Tiny hairs on their skin help them detect the smallest water movements allowing them to target their prey Perhaps most impressive are the chaetognath’s mouthparts Hooks or spines surround the mouth and are used for grasping prey while needle-sharp teeth inside its mouth help the animal pierce and swallow prey Many chaetognaths can even inject poison into their victims An arrow worm’s see through body and slim profile help it sneak up on prey and escape the notice of other predators 6