In the animal kingdom both prey and predator have to take risks to survive. There is no comfort zone that allows for sustained security. For example, wild rodents must leave the safety of their den to forage for food with the knowledge that they could come across predators. Yet they are equally aware that if they stay in their den they will starve; a risk must be taken to get what they need to survive.
Predators such as leopards, on the other hand, also have to take risks when hunting prey. Many of the prey they hunt, such as baboons and wild boar, are equipped with dangerous horns, teeth, and other evolutionary tools used for self-defense. When pursuing these animals, the leopard risks serious injury every time it hunts; fatal injuries which could prevent it from hunting and nurturing its young must be carefully considered during each hunt. Mothers must risk having their offspring eaten by predators or rival males every time they leave their young to go get food. If the leopard chooses not to hunt it will starve, so it once again has no choice but to take risks. Animals that survive these risks and become more adept at successfully taking them evolve.
