Hamsters Use Predator Odors as Indirect Cues of Predation Risk

Over time, evolution has shaped the behavior of prey animals such that the need to forage, find mates, and engage in intra-specific competition is balanced with the need to avoid predators (Lima & Dill 1990). Prey have not only evolved strategies to escape a direct attack from a predator, but have also evolved to respond to indirect cues in the environment that indicate predation risk (Orrock et al. 2004). One cue that has been shown to have profound effects on the behavior of many prey animals is predator odor. When exposed to the odor from a predator, prey species may decrease the duration of activity, curtail risky behaviors such as foraging, or move to locations with a lower perceived risk of predation (Apfelbach et al. 2005). For example, in terrarium experiments, odors from several mammalian predators (weasel Mustela nivalis, stoat Mustela erminea, polecat Mustela putorius, stone marten Martes foina, red fox Vulpes vulpes, and raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides) caused bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) to significantly decrease the amount of time spent in an experimental arena. Fox and weasel odors also decreased overall activity levels in bank voles, whereas the rabbit control odor elicited no response (Jedrzejewski et al. 1993). Similarly, male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) significantly reduced levels of locomotor activity after exposure to fox odor (no control odor Correspondence M. Elsbeth McPhee, Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY, USA. E-mail: [email protected]