Week 4 - Hunting and Antipredator Behaviour

Question 1

What is ‘Predator Inspection Behaviour’

Answer 1

Predator Inspection Behaviour: prey watching their predators
- When this occurs, ambush predators lose the ‘surprise presence’

Question 2

What two defences can prey use?

Answer 2

Primary Defences: reduce the probability of an attack

Secondary Defences: reduce the likelihood of a successful attack (if the predator does attack)

Question 3

What are primary defences?

Answer 3

1. Remaining Hidden
2. Pretending to be dangerous (mimicry)
3. Reducing your odds of being selected (living in a group)

Question 4

How do animals confuse their predators? (Mimicry - 2 forms)

Answer 4

1. Mullerian Mimicry
   - An HONEST signal (what you reflect is a true representation of what you are)

Eg. Wasps - black and yellow represents its toxicity

2. Batesian Mimicry
   - A DISHONEST signal (attempts to convey something the animal can’t do)

Eg. Hoverfly - black and yellow but not toxic

Question 5

What are the benefits of living in a group? (In the event of predators)

Answer 5

1. Dilution - reduced the chance of being attacked
2. Confusion - reduces chance of being seen by a predator
3. Selfish herding - grouping together purely in the hope that another animal gets selected (eg. it is SLOWER)
4. Vigilance - more eyes looking for danger, so can spend more time foraging

Question 6

What are secondary defence systems?

Answer 6

1. Distraction
2. Alarm Calls
3. Mobbing - eg. if the predator threatens your territory
4. “Showing off”

Question 7

What are the risks of these defences?

Answer 7

Being close to a predator = may be eaten

Question 8

Example: Gazelles ‘Stoting’

Answer 8

Gazelles make themselves look stronger - they jump up and down (stot)
- When they do stot the majority of hunts are abandoned / failed chase
- Compared to when they don’t, Gazelle are killed