Cloak of Darkness
Cloak of Darkness
Television frequently offers documentaries on African wildlife. When prey animals such as
the antelope are featured, one can clearly see that caution, vigilance, and the
ability to make a hasty retreat are basic to the life and well—being of these
creatures. Their eyes, wide open, are constantly darting in every direction;
their large ears move continuously—forward, to the side, to the rear—straining
for the slightest sound of an approaching predator. This watchfulness is
constant; even as they feed, antelope will take a quick bite or nibble on
vegetation and then resume the alert scan of the territory while chewing.
Still, scarcely a day passes without one or more of their number being pulled
down by some carnivore or other.
Many predators, including lions, hyenas, and leopards, are nocturnal and therefore
do most of their hunting after darkness falls. As the shadows lengthen toward
evening, the animal's alertness increases dramatically; it knows the hunter is
hidden under the cloak of darkness. So, relying on its well—developed sense of
hearing, the antelope never sleeps more than two or three minutes at a time.
With the approach of daylight, a wave of temporary relief must flow through prey
animals. Shadows no longer hide the threat of death, and they may now dare to
lean over a water hole for a drink.
Is it any wonder that primitive humans worshiped the sun!