Editing Predation (section)

===Handling===

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| image1            = Bluecat5A.jpg
| width1            = 225
| caption1          = [[Catfish]] have sharp [[fish fin|dorsal and pectoral spines]] which are held erect to discourage predators such as [[heron]]s which swallow prey whole.
| image2            = Osprey eating a fish.jpg
| width2            = 165
| caption2          = [[Osprey]] tears its fish prey apart, avoiding dangers such as sharp spines.
}}

Once the predator has captured the prey, it has to handle it: very carefully if the prey is dangerous to eat, such as if it possesses sharp or poisonous spines, as in many prey fish. Some [[catfish]] such as the [[Ictaluridae]] have [[fish fin|spines on the back (dorsal) and belly (pectoral)]] which lock in the erect position; as the catfish thrashes about when captured, these could pierce the predator's mouth, possibly fatally. Some fish-eating birds like the [[osprey]] avoid the danger of spines by tearing up their prey before eating it.<ref name="Forbes1989">{{cite journal |last=Forbes |first=L. Scott |title=Prey Defences and Predator Handling Behaviour: The Dangerous Prey Hypothesis |journal=Oikos |volume=55 |issue=2 |year=1989|doi=10.2307/3565418 |pages=155–158 |jstor=3565418 |bibcode=1989Oikos..55..155F }}</ref>