My prey drive has been insanely high lately. But, I've been scared to talk about it because, I experience prey drive a bit... Differently, than what is normally discussed.
•ﻌ•𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯⋆ᓚᘏᗢ⋆♡⋆ᗢᘏᓗ⋆𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯•ﻌ•
Look, I don't know how to say any of this eloquently. So, I really do want to stress, if you are a prey animal or otherwise sensitive to discussions around hunting, prey drive, or anything of the likes, I urge you to turn away. I have plenty of other silly posts, but, this one is not that.
One thing I've never seen discussed with prey drives, is the idea of "play". Cats, big cats especially, are known for playing with their food. Often catching and releasing them, intentionally letting their prey run around more than is necessary. Batting at their prey, playing around with them, carrying their prey around in their mouth before killing it. And more.
This behavior has often been demonized in human society. It's deemed cruel, and sadistic, and is often used as an excuse for cat haters, to continue hating on cats. Even though there are perfectly logical and biological reasons for this behavior. And plenty of other species do this as well. Which, is why I've been so afraid to talk about my personal experience with this particular drive. Because, as much as we exist in a community of alter/nonhumans, we as a community still tend to fall into these human morals, simply on the basis of existing in human society.
•ﻌ•𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯⋆ᓚᘏᗢ⋆♡⋆ᗢᘏᓗ⋆𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯•ﻌ•
My prey drive revolves predominantly around the urge to stalk, and chase prey. Occasionally I get the urge to bite, maul, or consume something. But, for me, the thrill of hunting isn't to kill or eat.
This brings up two challenges.
1: I do not wish to actually torment any living creature.
2: there are few ways for me to satisfy this urge.
I've tried hunting my toys before. But, it has always been really difficult for me to get into the right zone for that. It just feels too silly, especially since my toys can't move so, I just get bored quickly. HOWEVER, I do enjoy playing fetch. If I'm playing with someone else, and they can throw the toy/coin/torpedo for me, it allows me to better mental shift and lock onto my prey, especially as I cannot predict where it will be thrown next. I could genuinely play fetch for hours without getting sick of it. But, it relies on the other person's stamina and whether or not I can safely go into a mental shift around them. Making it a very intimate game for me.
I know for many alterhumans, hunting can be a very valuable way for them to release their prey drive. But, I struggle to find any satisfaction in hunting with bows, or guns, or other artificial weapons. Since the thrill for me revolves around stalking and chasing, I just struggle to enjoy using weapons and other forms of gear. Especially since I can't allow myself to have a proper mental shift, as I cannot hunt alone, and I have to be fully in charge and aware of my weapons and gear.
Kink is probably one of the more affirming ways for me to satisfy this urge, but, also the hardest to fulfill. Things like CNC, and primal play are very affirming to me, but they can also be really triggering or even dangerous. Consent and safewords are vital in all forms of (nonsexual and sexual) play, but these kinks especially require intense respect, understanding, care, and enthusiasm, as well as the appropriate aftercare, boundaries, and understanding health and safety. it's not only hard to finding a partner who is interested in exploring those kinks, but it's also hard maintaining such a potentially risky dynamic in a healthy manner.
Strangely, though, the most affirming way for me to release this urge, is through hide and seek, or similar games like prop hunt. I get extremely strong mental shifts while playing hide and seek IRL. Seekers are kind of expected to tease the hiders, and it's not uncommon for them to crouch down or even crawl around, while searching for the hiders. Making it the absolute best game to play as a predator. I am almost expected to be more chaotic and feral while playing as the seeker. Meaning, I can mentally shift as much as I want, and take however long I want. I can even play with my prey, pretending I don't see them, when I really do.
•ﻌ•𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯⋆ᓚᘏᗢ⋆♡⋆ᗢᘏᓗ⋆𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯𐂯•ﻌ•
All in all, prey drive is something I want to explore and talk about more. As it's one of those things that is unjustly demonized even within our own community. Which, is a shame. There are so many ways to experience prey drive, and so many ways to express it as well. And so many of us experience it, yet so few of us talk about it. Often due to how demonized it is.
I hope anyone reading this knows that, if you experience prey drive, you are not alone. Nor does it make you a disgusting freak. You shouldn't have to bottle up your prey drive or be made to feel gross or lesser because of it. All that matters is you are expressing it in safe and ethical ways.
Feel free to use this post to vent, rant, or share your own experiences with prey drive, and share how you go about expressing it. I'll make sure to read everything and offer any love and advice to those who may need it
