Not Only Fangs and Claws

Predators, the third link in the metabolic chain after plants and herbivores. Their typical features include a good sense of smell, strong muscles, claws, fangs or a curved beak. Meanwhile, in the primeval forest, the world of predators does not fit the stereotype. The smallest predatory mammal in Białowieża, the shrew, has to eat almost constantly - a few hours of fasting threatens its death. In the summer, it is easy to find potential prey, when there are plenty of insects. For the winter months, the tiny animal reduces its body mass - it is its way of survival. Undoubtedly, a predator is a relative of the shrew, the water shrew, as well as the otter, lynx, sparrowhawk, eagle owl. The strength of the parasites, in their mass much more predatory than the lynx or wolf, is their incredible numbers. The forest muds are a gigantic breeding ground for mosquitoes. These annoying bloodsuckers will not give up even to large predators.