It’s a quintessential nature documentary scene: An unsuspecting animal — say, a zebra, a lizard or a seal — is spotted by a hungry lion, hawk or shark. Suddenly, the predator attacks, and off they go into a high-speed chase. But how does the prey recognize its foe and understand that it poses a risk?
Animals can identify their predators based on a mix of instinct and experience. By studying these interactions between predator and prey, scientists can reveal strategies for conservation and invasive species management.