the concept of being an animal is very prevalent in this story. in what ways does rainsford behave like an animal and as a human? how does zaroff?

I suppose you could say that we are hunter and gatherers. Zaroff points out that humans were meant to both hunt and be prey. The story is full of animal imagery. Of course Rainsford, the hunter, becomes the hunted. Rainsford uses his hunting knowledge as well as instinct to evade Zaroff. Zaroff uses the same to stalk Rainsford. THe final scene has the two men fight it out like animals.