The Plant Kingdom Living on Planet Earth © 2011 abcteach.com Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack Plant and Animal Relationships (Part 2)

Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack Many plant species have defenses to keep from being destroyed by animals. A plant comes under attack when an animal chews it or deposits its eggs into or upon the plant. © 2011 abcteach.com

Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack Plants are unable to move away from danger but many have strong defenses that keep animals away. Many unsuspecting creatures are injured as they eat the leaves, stems or roots of some plants. © 2011 abcteach.com

Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack Surprisingly, many plants and animals help each other to live and to reproduce. © 2011 abcteach.com

Plants Under Attack Plants come under attack from a variety of animals. Many invertebrates lay their eggs on or around plants. The developing larvae eat their way into adulthood. Some eat the leaves, stems, roots and flowers of a plant. © 2011 abcteach.com

Others make a hole into a leaf and form a complex tunnel. Some bore their way into fruit or tree trunks. Sucking insects draw nutrition out from the leaves. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Under Attack

Leaf-cutting ants carry large pieces of leaves to their nest and feed on the fungus grown in the decomposed leaves. Such animal activities make it difficult for a plant to photosynthesis, grow and maintain good health. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Under Attack Fungus is growing on bread. Ant Hill

Some insects are more of a help than they are a danger to a plant. It’s not unusual for a plant to provide shelter to an animal that eats plant-eating bugs. The helping animal will lay its eggs under a leaf in a pouch-like cavity created by the plant. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Under Attack

Overall, the biggest risk to plant life is the threat of being consumed by vertebrates. Although invertebrates help spread the pollen and seeds of plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals also consume large quantities of those same plants’ materials. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Under Attack

Do you think a plant can eat an animal? Some plants growing in swamps and marshes don’t get enough nitrogen, an important mineral normally found in soil. Bacteria and animal protein is rich in nitrogen. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Under Attack

Unusual plant species found in these locations produce colorful flowers or scented fluids that attract animals. Curious animals such as flies, beetles, frogs and mice enter the flowers and become trapped by sticky digestive fluids. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Under Attack

The animals die and the insectivorous or carnivorous plants absorb the needed minerals from the bodies of those animals. That’s amazing. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Under Attack

Many plant species fight off hungry animals with a number of defenses. Some have made their parts unappealing or difficult to eat. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Defend Themselves

Others use poison or weapons to keep animals away. A few defend themselves by tricking animals into thinking they are dangerous. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Defend Themselves

Some leaves, stems and flowers are covered in hairs making it difficult for even the smallest of creatures to reach their nutritious part. Some plants trap small animals using their sharp ended thorns or sticky hairs. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Defend Themselves

An animal will know that a plant is using a chemical defense as it begins to eat the roots, stem, leaves, flowers or seeds of a plant. It will experience unpleasant tastes, have an upset stomach or become sick from the poison. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Defend Themselves

Stinging plant hairs inject an unsuspecting animal with toxic fluid. Some animals are immune to a plant’s poisons and can safely eat it. However, if those animals are eaten, they pass the poison onto their predator. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Defend Themselves

Some plants, unable to produce their own poison, mimic the looks of poisonous plants. Animals familiar with the poisonous species will avoid eating both types. © 2011 abcteach.com Plants Defend Themselves

Plants have evolved and adapted to complete their life cycle if only to produce enough seed to carry on the species. Fruits and nuts are bitter until they ripen. This offers an important defense that protects seeds until they are ready to germinate. © 2011 abcteach.com Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack

Mature seeds and nuts are buried in the ground by animals, some to be eaten, and others to be forgotten and left to sprout. © 2011 abcteach.com Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack

Many others are transported by animals on their hair and feathers or within their digestive system. When the seeds are dropped or excreted by the animal they may germinate at their new location. © 2011 abcteach.com Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack

Plants and animals need each other and have found a variety of ways to maintain the balance of nature. © 2011 abcteach.com Plant Defenses Against Animal Attack

The Plant Kingdom Living on Planet Earth © 2011 abcteach.com Images Courtesy of: Microsoft Office Clip Art and Contributions from abcteach.com staff members, and others as identified