What defense mechanisms do prey animals have?

Prey animals have adapted numerous ways to survive. For example, the poison tree frog uses bright colors to advertise that it is poisonous and should not be eaten. Certain butterflies also use bright colors to warn against being eaten, and other butterflies that do not carry poison mimic those that do by using similar colors.

In order to avoid being caught, deer and other animals move quickly. Horses use their hooves to protect themselves, and giraffes also use them.

Fish also use groups to confuse predators. By moving in a school, the predators have trouble focusing on any one fish. Musk oxen use their horns to ward off attacks by wolves and other predators. The Musk oxen also use the herd to protect themselves. The large males form a circle protecting the young and weaker inside.

Lastly, a lot of animals hide from view in order to avoid being eaten.

Prey animals employ various defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators. Some common defense mechanisms include camouflage, warning coloration (aposematism), mimicry, agility and speed, group living (herding or schooling), chemical defenses (toxins or repellents), physical defenses (such as spines, shells, or horns), and behavioral adaptations (such as playing dead or fleeing). These defense mechanisms can help prey animals avoid detection, deter predators, or escape from predation attempts.