Animals must be active in order to acquire resources but this activity makes them more exposed to predators. The strength of prey’s defensive response should decrease with the decline of the energetic state. Many studies have supported this prediction.
Right. The response and whole nervous system got badly functioning due to the hunger situation of the animal, and subsequently reduce the quick response of the preys.
No. Hunger increase pray vulnerability: a more predictable behaviour, slower and weaker flight response
Hi Andrea, you should have specified that defensive behaviour you intend here is the "freezing" in tadpoles; thus, an increase in freezing may either depend on an increase in predation risk and to the low energy available to move due to fasting,
Hi Andrea, could you please be more specific? Which prey/predator species are you referring to? In the case of large carnivores and ungulates, for example, prey don't use a defensive tactic against the predator, but a flight response...
Hi Maria,
I am working with tadpoles and predation risk can be represented by chemical cues released by prey (alarm cues), kairomones (from predator), or both (digestive cues...). I was not specific because I considered an increase in defensive behavior any kind of change in behavior which can improve chances to survive. For example, for a fligth response I would consider an increased sprint speed (or even an anticipated starting response) as an increase in defensive behavior
I see Andrea, thank you for your explanation. I would also expect hunger to decrease prey's response to predator, as long as food deprivation has been experienced long enough as to decrease body condition.
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