Comparing entire colour patterns as birds see them
Colour patterns and their visual backgrounds consist of a mosaic of patches that vary in colour, brightness, size, shape and position. Most studies of crypsis, aposematism, sexual selection, or other forms of signalling concentrate on one or two patch classes (colours), either ignoring the rest of the colour pattern, or analysing the patches separately. We […]
Response of hatchling Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) at Denver Zoo to visual and chemical cues arising from prey
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20219.abs Five hatchling Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) at Denver Zoo were observed in two experiments that studied the effects of visual and chemical cues arising from prey. Rate of tongue flicking was recorded in Experiment 1, and amount of time the lizards spent interacting with stimuli was recorded in Experiment 2. Our hypothesis was […]
Behavioral profiles of the captive juvenile whooping crane as an indicator of post-release survival
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20075.abs Predation by bobcats (Lynx rufus) is the major cause of mortality in captive-reared whooping cranes (Grus americana) released into the wild to establish a nonmigratory flock in Florida. This study investigated whether rearing methods (parent-rearing, hand-rearing, or hand-rearing with exercise) of cranes, and behaviors observed in birds either before or shortly after release […]
Terrestrial predator alarm vocalizations are a valid monitor of stress in captive brown capuchins (Cebus apella)
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:43.3.CO;2-X The vocal behavior of captive animals is increasingly exploited as an index of well-being. Here we show that the terrestrial predator alarm (TPA) vocalization, a robust and acoustically distinctive anti-predation vocal response present in many mammal and bird species, offers useful information on the relative well-being and stress levels of captive animals. In […]
Strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) in northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis oreganus, Holbrook, 1840) rescued from substandard husbandry conditions. II. Complete recovery of function after two years
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:23.3.CO;2-J Six northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis oreganus) rescued from substandard husbandry conditions were shipped from Woodland Park Zoological Gardens to the University of Colorado in December 1994. The snakes accepted prey and rapidly gained weight, but their searching behavior after predatory strikes was seriously depressed. We administered repeated tests of strike-induced chemosensory searching […]
Response across a gradient: behavioural reactions of newly settled fish to predation cues
How individuals respond to predation threats will have a large influence on which individuals survive within a population. The magnitude and timing of these responses will be particularly important during periods of high predation susceptibility, such as that experienced by coral reef fishes immediately following settlement to the reef environment. Although reef fish are known […]
The influence of food presentation on the behavior of small cats in confined environments
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430120206.abs Captive small felids frequently pace repetitively and/or spend large amounts of time inactive. Presenting a fishing cat with live-fish resulted in more activity (60% less sleeping), increased behavioral diversity, including previously unobserved hunting behaviors, and greater enclosure utilization. Effects persisted for at least 48 h after presentation of live fish, and up to […]
Hastiness, brain size and predation regime affect the performance of wild guppies in a spatial memory task
The ability to return to, or avoid, specific locations is often critical to fitness-related activities. We tested for differences in spatial memory of guppies, Poecilia reticulata, from low- and high-predation populations in a maze task. We also measured the time each fish took to make a decision in the maze, because individuals can show a […]
Evaluation of predation risk by a caterpillar using substrate-borne vibrations
Assessment of predation risk and appropriate defensive responses are critical for most organisms. Prey individuals must distinguish between the cues produced by abiotic factors, competitors and predators, and respond appropriately. We determined whether larvae of Semiothisa aemulataria (Geometridae), which defend themselves from invertebrate predators by hanging on a silk thread, can detect predator threats and […]
Hairiness and warning colours as components of antipredator defence: additive or interactive benefits?
To deter predator attack, aposematic prey species advertise their unprofitability with one or more conspicuous warning signals that, in turn, enhance the avoidance learning of predators. We studied the costs and benefits of multicomponent signalling in Parasemia plantaginis moths. The hairy moth larvae have an orange patch on their otherwise black bodies. The patch varies […]