_2020년 3월 모의_[ 고2 ]_41~42번

AnneS. · H2 2020.03 No.41~42

 

 

Animal studies have dealt with the distances creatures may keep between themselves and members of other species.    These distances determine the functioning of the socalled ‘flight or fight’ mechanism.   As an animal senses what it considers to be a predator approaching within its ‘flight’ distance, it will quite simply run away.    The distance at which this happens is amazingly  consistent, and Hediger, a Swiss biologist, claimed to have measured it remarkably precisely for some of the species that he studied.    Naturally, it varies from species to species, and usually the larger the animal the longer its flight distance.    I have had to use a long focus lens to take photographs of giraffes, which have very large flight distances.   By contrast, I have several times nearly stepped on a squirrel in my garden before it drew attention to itself by suddenly escaping!    We can only assume that this   variation in distance matches the animal’s own assessment of its ability to accelerate and run.    The ‘fight’ distance is always   smaller than the flight distance.    If a perceived predator approaches within the flight distance but the animal is trapped by obstacles or other predators and cannot   flee, it must stand its ground.    Eventually, however, attack becomes the best form of defence, and so the trapped animal will turn and fight.