Anti-predator behaviour of kudu and impala in response to mimicked African wild dog presence: do age and sex matter?

摘要: Predators not only prey upon certain species, but also on age–sex classes within species. Predation risk and an individual’s response to this might therefore vary with characteristics. We examined the proportion of time different kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros) impala Aepyceros melampus) spent high quality vigilant (costly vigilance that detracts from all other activities) in mimicked predation by African wild dogs Lycaon pictus). For both species was main factor determining investment behaviour. Age–sex class-specific responses were related class specific lethality presented dogs. impala, regardless risk, age seemed have some effect sub-adult spending more than adult which is possibly why predominantly preyed impala.