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.
Many species rely on sensory cues to let them know a predator is around. These signals fall into four broad categories: visual, tactile, auditory and chemical cues, according to an article in Nature Education.
In general, different prey animals might react to the sight of a looming object, a new presence or sudden movement, all of which could signal a threat. Some spiders and ...
