Normally, beetles will eat insects, worms and dead meat, but if situations are favorable a few may savor frogs as well. Two beetles, E. dejeani and E. circumscriptus, relish toads, frogs and salamanders, Tel-Aviv University has revealed. Researchers Wizen and Gasith have thrown light on this unique amphibian-insect interaction. The beetles literally stab, or bite their victims in the back to immobilize them. Earlier, it was also found out that larvae of Epomis eat amphibians. How the beetle manages to reverse the usual predator-prey relationship, is still shrouded under mystery. The research says that beetles become great pals with the frogs during the day and share shelter with, and as night approaches they kill them and munch them. It’s quite interesting and shocking at the same time, that a small beetle can kill and eat frogs that are many times its own size. If this tale of killing wasn’t enough to astonish you, then check out some other similar examples listed below.
American bullfrogs feed on snakes:
American Bullfrogs is an aquatic frog, which is large and lives in water bodies, swamps, ponds, lakes, usually along the water’s edge. They are nocturnal predators and feed on insects, mice, fish, birds, and even snakes. It has a voracious appetite and will eat anything that moves and it can swallow. Their outer skin is usually green or gray-brown in color and they are often spotted. Both sides of their head carry rounded eardrums, also called tympanum.
They are territorial and protect their land by calls. When they have to hunt, these bullfrogs sit still without even moving an inch. They have very strong hinge legs that are used for leaping on a prey. When the victim passes by, they jump on it with their mouth open and stick their mucous-coated tongue on the prey.
Goliath Bird eating Tarantula:
As the name suggests, the Goliath bird-eating Tarantula is large enough to eat a bird. It has a life span of 15 to 20 years and can grow up to 8 inches, making them the largest spiders in the world. They are not a threat to humans and will only attack if not left with any way to escape. These tarantulas largely feed on frogs, small snakes, lizards, bats. Occasionally, they will hunt for young birds giving them the name ‘bird eaters.’
Praying Mantis preys on birds:
They are called ‘Praying Mantis,’ because of their typical preying-like stance. They are predators and insects from their primary diet, but will prey on any specie that it can successfully capture and eat greedily. They eat insects like beetles, leafhoppers, caterpillars, mites, grasshoppers, aphids, crickets, etc. But, the larger one’s can also relish small lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, fish, and even rodents. Most species are into cannibalism as well. Mantis stands still and waits for their prey to come near. They grab the victim by lashing out and hold them tightly with their spiked forelegs.