Effect of Direct and Indirect Cues of Predation Risk on the Foraging Behavior of the White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
Fanson, Benjamin G 2010, Effect of Direct and Indirect Cues of Predation Risk on the Foraging Behavior of the White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), Northeastern Naturalist, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 19-28, doi: 10.1656/045.017.0102.
Understanding predator-prey dynamics requires an understanding of how prey assess predation risk. This study tested the effect of microhabitat, moon stages, and mammalian predator urines (Vulpes vulpes [Red Fox], Mustela vison [Mink], and Procyon lotor [Raccoon]) on the degree of predation risk perceived by Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse). Giving-up densities from artificial food patches were used to quantify perceived predation risk. White-footed Mice exhibited a strong preference for cover microhabitat and for the new moon stage. However, the mice did not significantly alter their foraging behavior in response to the predator urines compared to a water control. Additionally, mice foraged less on colder nights. The results suggest that mammalian predator urines may not provide reliable information on actual predation risk for the White-footed Mice and that the mice extensively use indirect cues to assess predation risk.
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