Therefore, in addition to responding to immediate lion presence, zebras may also exhibit behavior tuned to reduce the potential for encounters with predators. But zebras cannot always rely on detecting lions and moving away from them because lions are highly mobile and stealthy. Such coupling of predator–prey population movements suggests that zebras can respond to specific threats by leaving areas after detecting predators. In a set of 3 adjacent, unfenced ranches, covering 500 square kilometers, zebra abundance within a ranch over a 1-week period inversely correlates with local predator abundance during that period ( Rubenstein and Hack 2004). Plains zebras are grazers living in the savannah ecosystems of East and Southern Africa. As an important prey species for lions ( Panthera leo) ( Hayward and Kerley 2005), plains zebra ( Equus burchelli) may offer insight into the ways in which predation shapes the behavior of prey. 2005) while at the same time meeting their resource needs. Animals modify their habitat preferences and movement patterns to reduce their likelihood of being encountered or captured by predators ( Bowyer et al. It is hypothesized that these more erratic movements assist zebras in avoiding detection or capture by lions.Ī central question in ecology is to what extent prey behavior and populations are determined by pursuit of resources versus avoidance of predation. Zebras moved faster and took sharper turns in grassland at night.
Zebra sightings and global positioning system radio collar data indicated that zebras also reduced their use of grassland at night, instead using more woodland habitat. Predation danger was highest in grassland habitat during the night, when lions were more active.
#Plains zebra Patch#
We found that zebra abundance on or near a grassland patch was lower if lions had also been observed on that patch during the same day. We studied a population of approximately 600 plains zebra living in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. In addition, zebras were predicted to exhibit behavior tuned to reduce the potential for encounters with lions, by modifying their movement patterns in the times of day and habitats of greatest lion danger.
As a key prey item for lions ( Panthera leo), plains zebras ( Equus burchelli) were expected to respond to immediate threats posed by lions in their area. Prey species must adapt their behavior to avoid predation.