Risk‐taking in free‐living spotted hyenas is associated with anthropogenic disturbance, predicts survivorship, and is consistent across experimental contexts

摘要: Anthropogenic disturbance can have important influences on the fitness and behaviors of wild animals, including their boldness when exposed to risky conditions. We presented spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) from two populations, each a different level human activity, with life‐size model hyena representing an intruder another clan. The high‐disturbance population lived adjacent settlements, low‐disturbance inhabited relatively undisturbed part same national park in Kenya. mock was individual assess reactions alien hyena, determine whether varied exposure anthropogenic activity. found that indeed associated risk‐taking behavior response intruder. Hyenas tested area exhibited more by approaching closely, spending time near it, than did counterparts living areas. spent less close proximity had greater survivorship those regardless level. Furthermore, differences measured here were consistent obtained previously animals using set experimental manipulations. However, experimentally induced not naturally occurring lions; this suggests are within individuals across contexts, but lions elicits responses. Although our results earlier tests other predators, they differ birds small mammals, which generally be bolder areas characterized disturbance.