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Threat Posture Collection

In the animal kingdom, threat postures are a fascinating display of power and defense mechanisms

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Vampire Squid. Going in to 'pineapple' defensive posture. California USA

Vampire Squid. Going in to "pineapple" defensive posture. California USA
DOW-291-N Vampire Squid - going into pineapple defense posture California, USA Vampyroteuthis infernalis Steve Downer Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Tarantula Spider

Tarantula Spider
TEA-53 TARANTULA / Bird-eating Spider Andy Teare Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Kestrel / Falcon - at nest, head on, both eyes visible

Kestrel / Falcon - at nest, head on, both eyes visible
WAT-5453 KESTREL - at nest, head on, both eyes visible. Falco tinnunculus M. Watson Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Stone Curlew CK 451 Aggressive display Burhinus ondicnemus © C. R. Knights/ ARDEA LONDON

Stone Curlew CK 451 Aggressive display Burhinus ondicnemus © C. R. Knights/ ARDEA LONDON
CK-451 STONE-CURLEWS - aggressive display with wings outstretched Burhinus ondicnemus Distribution: Southern United Kingdom east to southern Russia and south to Spain, Italy and the Balkans

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Boomslang Snake Showing fangs Chobe, Botswana, Africa

Boomslang Snake Showing fangs Chobe, Botswana, Africa
CRH-261 Boomslang Snake - Showing fangs shows fangs, Botswana Dispholidus typus Chris Harvey Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Parrot Snake Costa Rica

Parrot Snake Costa Rica
DOW-4 Parrot Snake - mouth open Costa Rica Leptophis ahaetulla Steve Downer Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Vampire Squid. Going in to 'pineapple' defensive posture. California USA

Vampire Squid. Going in to "pineapple" defensive posture. California USA
DOW-292-N Vampire Squid - going into pineapple defense posture California, USA Vampyroteuthis infernalis Steve Downer Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Polyphemus Moth - Intimidation posture. The eyed-wings look like an ired gaze. Arizona, USA

Polyphemus Moth - Intimidation posture. The eyed-wings look like an ired gaze. Arizona, USA
PPG-1555 Polyphemus Moth - intimidation posture, the eyed-wings look like an ired gaze Arizona, USA Antheraea polyphemus oculea Pascal Goetgheluck Please note that prints are for personal display

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: African Elephant bull - giving photographer a bluff charge. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

African Elephant bull - giving photographer a bluff charge. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
TOM-852 African ELEPHANT bull - giving photographer a bluff charge. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Loxodonta africana This bull was feeding on Acacia tree seed pods

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Fire Bellied Toad - showing red underside 15326

Fire Bellied Toad - showing red underside 15326
BB-2738 Fire Bellied Toad - showing red underside Bombina orientalis Brian Bevan contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Western Blue Tongue / Shingleback - opening mouth and exposing blue tongue in threat display

Western Blue Tongue / Shingleback - opening mouth and exposing blue tongue in threat display
ASW-4828 Western Blue Tongue / Shingleback - opening mouth and exposing blue tongue in threat display Bell's Rapids, Perth, Western Australia. Western Australia Tiliqua sp. Alan J. S

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: African Elephant - breeding herd with matriarch threatening. Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa

African Elephant - breeding herd with matriarch threatening. Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa
VAN-281 African ELEPHANT - breeding herd with matriarch threatening Okavango Delta, Botswana Loxodonta africana Ingrid Van den Berg Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Scorpion. South Europe

Scorpion. South Europe
PPG-1551 Scorpion South Europe Buthus occitanus Pascal Goetgheluck Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Queen Hornet - defensive stance Norfolk UK

Queen Hornet - defensive stance Norfolk UK
FEU-183 Queen Hornet - defensive stance Norfolk, UK Vespa crabro Geoff du Feu Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Cuttlefish - This cuttlefish changes colour and shape constantly. It may reach 500mm in length

Cuttlefish - This cuttlefish changes colour and shape constantly. It may reach 500mm in length
VT-8367 Cuttlefish - This cuttlefish changes colour and shape constantly. Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea Sepia latimanus It may reach 500mm in length

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: 180320d0028

180320d0028
Canada Goose, two birds squabbling on field in winter, North Hessen, Germany Date: 11-Feb-19

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Devils Coach-horse Beetle

Devils Coach-horse Beetle
DWG-506 Devil's Coach-horse / Rove BEETLE - aggressive display with raised hind end Staphylinus olens This Rove beetle is found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Latin also Ocypus olens D. W

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Arizona - USA

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Arizona - USA
CAN-3535 Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Arizona - USA Crotalus atrox John Cancalosi Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Frilled Lizard - defence

Frilled Lizard - defence
JPF-12183 Frilled Lizard - defence Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. Chlamydosaurus kingii Jean Paul Ferrero Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Herring Gull adult in threat posture Netherlands

Herring Gull adult in threat posture Netherlands

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Northern Lapwing threat posture, Vanellus vanellus, Netherlands

Northern Lapwing threat posture, Vanellus vanellus, Netherlands

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Secret Toad-Headed Agama - dispays being disturbed - sand dunes - desert - Caspian sea shore

Secret Toad-Headed Agama - dispays being disturbed - sand dunes - desert - Caspian sea shore - Turkmenistan - Spring
ANZ-1506 Secret Toad-Headed Agama - dispays being disturbed - sand dunes - desert Caspian sea shore - Turkmenistan Phrynocephalus mystaceus Pallas Spring - April Andrey Zvoznikov Please note that

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Frilled Lizard - Kakadu National Park - Northern Territory, Australia

Frilled Lizard - Kakadu National Park - Northern Territory, Australia
JPF-12174 FRILLED LIZARD - Defence display Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia Chlamydosaurus kingii Jean Paul Ferrero Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Pill Millipede - curled up, common in leaf litter. UK

Pill Millipede - curled up, common in leaf litter. UK
SPH-1433 Pill MILLIPEDE - curled up common in leaf litter - UK Glomeris marginata Steve Hopkin Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Stag beetle - Head and horns Europe

Stag beetle - Head and horns Europe
PPG-1486 Stag beetle - Head and horns Europe Lucanus cervus Pascal Goetgheluck Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Drawing - Scorpion in defensive posture with sting deployed

Drawing - Scorpion in defensive posture with sting deployed
PM-9935 Drawing - Scorpion in defensive posture with sting deployed scorpion Pat Morris Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Hawk Moth - caterpillar, threat display. Family:Choerocampinae

Hawk Moth - caterpillar, threat display. Family:Choerocampinae
ASW-2165 Hawk-Moth - caterpillar, threat display. Family: Choerocampinae Alan J. S. Weaving Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Indian / Bengal Tiger Named Charger'- the most aggresive Male Tiger Defending the waterhole

Indian / Bengal Tiger Named Charger'- the most aggresive Male Tiger Defending the waterhole Bandhavgarh National
JR-312 Indian / Bengal Tiger - Named Charger'- the most aggresive Male Tiger Defending the waterhole, Bandhavgarh National Park

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Bonnet macaque threat display C017 / 9063

Bonnet macaque threat display C017 / 9063
Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) male with a facial expression that is part of a threat display. This monkey is so named because of the bonnet-shaped patch of hair on its head

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Cat and Dog - together

Cat and Dog - together
LA-9187 Cat and Dog - together Jean-Michel Labat Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Cat - Thai

Cat - Thai
LA-9612 Thai cat Jean-Michel Labat Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. Contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0)20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Cat - British Short Hair Silver Spotted

Cat - British Short Hair Silver Spotted
LA-9674 British Short Hair Silver Spotted cat Jean-Michel Labat Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Cat

Cat
LA-9538 Black cat Jean-Michel Labat Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. Contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0)20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Puss Moth USH 345 Caterpillar in defence stance Cerura vinula © Duncan Usher / ardea. com

Puss Moth USH 345 Caterpillar in defence stance Cerura vinula © Duncan Usher / ardea. com
USH-345 Puss MOTH - caterpillar / larvae in defence stance Cerura vinula Duncan Usher Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: European Wolf USH 288 Threatening behaviour Canis lupus © Duncan Usher / ardea. com

European Wolf USH 288 Threatening behaviour Canis lupus © Duncan Usher / ardea. com
USH-288 European Wolf - threatening behaviour captive Canis lupus Duncan Usher contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Serval - 5 week old orphan serval kitten in defensive posture - Masai Mara Reserve - Kenya

Serval - 5 week old orphan serval kitten in defensive posture - Masai Mara Reserve - Kenya
SE-1256 Serval - 5 week old orphan serval kitten in defensive posture Masai Mara Reserve - Kenya Felis serval Suzi Eszterhas contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Tropical Rat Snake - defensive display - tropical rainforest - Costa Rica

Tropical Rat Snake - defensive display - tropical rainforest - Costa Rica
CAN-4536 Tropical Rat Snake - defensive display - tropical rainforest Costa Rica Spilotes pullatus John Cancalosi contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Hedgehog JLM 261 Erinaceus europoeus © J. L. Mason / ARDEA LONDON

Hedgehog JLM 261 Erinaceus europoeus © J. L. Mason / ARDEA LONDON
JLM-261 HEDGEHOG CURLED IN BALL Erinaceus europoeus John Mason contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Stone Curlew CK 450 Displaying Burhinus oedicnemus © C. R. Knights / ardea. com

Stone Curlew CK 450 Displaying Burhinus oedicnemus © C. R. Knights / ardea. com
CK-450 STONE-CURLEW - displaying Burhinus oedicnemus Distribution: Southern United Kingdom east to southern Russia and south to Spain, Italy and the Balkans

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Elephant CRH 926 Bull displays aggressive behaviour when in musk Chief's Island, Okavango Delta

Elephant CRH 926 Bull displays aggressive behaviour when in musk Chief's Island, Okavango Delta
CRH-926 Elephant - Bull displays aggressive behaviour when in musth Chief's Island, Okavango Delta, Botswana Loxodonta africana Musth is when the temporal glands between the eye

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Stone Curlew - display

Stone Curlew - display
CK-404 STONE-CURLEW - in display pose Burhinus oedicnemus Distribution: Southern United Kingdom east to southern Russia and south to Spain, Italy and the Balkans

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Cheetah LA 633 Adult with young - Transmara, Maasai Mara, Kenya Acinonyx jubatus © J. M

Cheetah LA 633 Adult with young - Transmara, Maasai Mara, Kenya Acinonyx jubatus © J. M. Labat / ardea. com
LA-633 Cheetah - Adult with young Transmara, Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa Acinonyx jubatus Jean Michel Labat contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Tiger Rattlesnake - controlled conditions - found in the southwestern United States

Tiger Rattlesnake - controlled conditions - found in the southwestern United States
JZ-4213 Tiger Rattlesnake Southeast Arizona - USA Crotalus tigris controlled conditions - found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico Jim Zipp contact details

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Secret Toad-Headed Agama - dispays it's 'collar' when being disturbed - sand dunes - desert

Secret Toad-Headed Agama - dispays it's "collar" when being disturbed - sand dunes - desert - Caspian sea
ANZ-1509 Secret Toad-Headed Agama - dispays it's "collar" when being disturbed - sand dunes - desert Caspian sea shore - Turkmenistan Phrynocephalus mystaceus Pallas April Andrey

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Bredl Python - intimidation posture - Australia

Bredl Python - intimidation posture - Australia
PPG-1888 Bredl Python - intimidation posture Australia Morelia bredli Pascal Goetgheluck Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Wood Ant - soldier ants in the defence position ready to spray formic acid from lower abdomen

Wood Ant - soldier ants in the defence position ready to spray formic acid from lower abdomen - Lower Saxony - Germany
USH-4985 Wood Ant - soldier ants in the defence position ready to spray formic acid from lower abdomen Lower Saxony - Germany Formica rufa Duncan Usher Please note that prints are for personal

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Wood Ant - soldier ant in the defence position ready to spray formic acid from lower abdomen

Wood Ant - soldier ant in the defence position ready to spray formic acid from lower abdomen - Lower Saxony - Germany
USH-4984 Wood Ant - soldier ant in the defence position ready to spray formic acid from lower abdomen Lower Saxony - Germany Formica rufa Duncan Usher Please note that prints are for personal display

Background imageThreat Posture Collection: Eurasian Griffon Vulture - in threatening pose - Spanish Pyrenees - December

Eurasian Griffon Vulture - in threatening pose - Spanish Pyrenees - December
RES-1241 Eurasian Griffon Vulture - in threatening pose Spanish Pyrenees - December Gyps fulvus George Reszeter Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only



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In the animal kingdom, threat postures are a fascinating display of power and defense mechanisms. The Kestrel and Falcon, perched at their nests with both eyes visible, exude an aura of dominance. Meanwhile, the Vampire Squid adopts a unique "pineapple" defensive posture off the coast of California in the USA. Venturing into California's waters again, we encounter the enigmatic Vampire Squid once more as it assumes its pineapple position. On land, the Tarantula Spider sends shivers down our spines with its intimidating presence. In contrast, the Stone Curlew CK 451 showcases an aggressive display in London captured by C. R. Knights/ARDEA LONDON. Traveling to Chobe in Botswana, Africa reveals a Boomslang Snake baring its fangs while a Parrot Snake in Costa Rica mesmerizes with its threatening stance. Back to California's underwater world goes our resilient Vampire Squid adopting yet another pineapple defensive posture. In Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, an African Elephant bull gives photographers a bluff charge while enjoying acacia tree seed pods near his feet. Witnessing this spectacle reminds us of nature's raw power and beauty. The Fire Bellied Toad surprises onlookers by revealing its vibrant red underside during moments of perceived danger. Similarly captivating is Western Blue Tongue/Shingleback lizard from Australia that opens its mouth to expose a striking blue tongue at Bell's Rapids in Perth. Once again encountering our tenacious Vampire Squid off California's coast illuminates photophores as it embraces the pineapple defensive posture yet again. Lastly, an African Elephant breeding herd led by their matriarch threatens intruders within Botswana's Okavango Delta—a powerful reminder that family protection knows no bounds. These snapshots from different corners of our planet showcase how animals communicate through threat postures—reminding us to respect their boundaries and admire their resilience amidst diverse ecosystems.