Beast of prey

"Beast of Prey" by Jay Williams is a mid-20th century science fiction novella that transports readers to an unfamiliar planet where a group of scientists on an ecological mission face a terrifying predator. The story centers on Fenner, a determined researcher, as his team is mysteriously incapacitated by a series of attacks, leading him to investigate the nature of the hidden danger. The central themes of survival, nature, and unexpected intelligence come to the forefront as Fenner discovers that the supposed threat is actually a creature capable of neutralizing the attacks from predatory flowers. This realization reveals a complex relationship between species and the revelation of an intelligent, protective instinct within the creature itself, challenging the scientist’s understanding of life on this alien world and opening doors to interspecies understanding.