Final answer:
Natural prey are organisms that are hunted and consumed by predators, often having adaptations like camouflage to avoid predation. Natural predators are those that hunt and consume other organisms, typically adapted with tools such as speed and heightened senses. Predation, which can include both lethal and non-lethal forms such as herbivory, is essential for maintaining ecological balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of "natural prey" refers to the organisms that are typically hunted and consumed by a predator within their natural ecosystem. Natural prey usually has adaptations such as camouflage that helps them avoid being caught. Conversely, "natural predators" are the organisms that hunt and consume other species. These predators are adapted to capture and kill their prey effectively, which may include having heightened senses, speed, and camouflage. Predation is a critical ecological interaction and often involves a complex balance, where predator and prey populations can influence each other’s sizes through time, as seen in the dynamic relationship between lynx and snowshoe hares.
Adaptations in predators and prey evolve through natural selection, like the camouflage seen in both to either sneak up on prey or hide from predators. Predation is not always lethal; for instance, herbivory, such as zebras grazing on grasses, is also a form of predation but does not typically result in the death of the prey organism.