By  Gurpreet Singh | October 9, 2025

10 Animals That Play Tricks on Their Prey

Angolan Python

These snakes use camouflage and sudden strikes, luring unsuspecting prey into striking range without revealing their presence.

Image: Canva

Harpy Eagle

Harpy eagles mimic sounds and swoop from trees to surprise monkeys, sloths and other forest-dwelling prey.

Image: Canva

Lyrebird

Lyrebirds mimic sounds of predators or chainsaws to scare other birds away, stealing their food or territory.

Image: Canva

African Painted Wolf

They feign retreat to confuse antelopes, then ambush them using teamwork and clever flanking strategies.

Image: Canva

Malaysian Owl Butterfly

Spots on its wings resemble predator eyes, startling birds and giving it time to escape or ambush smaller prey.

Image: Canva

Leaf-Tailed Gecko

Camouflaged as a leaf, it ambushes insects walking past, relying on perfect mimicry to deceive its prey.

Image: Canva

Collared Falconet

This tiny falcon feigns injury to lure birds away from nests, then ambushes them with lightning speed.

Image: Canva

Crab Spider

Blending perfectly with flowers, crab spiders lure pollinators, striking unsuspecting bees and butterflies with deadly precision.

Image: Canva

Praying Mantis

Mantis blend with flowers and plants, remaining motionless until prey comes close, striking with lightning speed.

Image: Canva

Cheetah

Cheetahs use stealthy stalking and sudden directional changes to confuse prey, ensuring high-speed chases end in a successful hunt.

Image: Canva

Next: 10 of the World’s Smelliest Animals
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