Short-term predation risk and habitat complexity influence cheetah antipredator behaviours

Abstract

Animals can reduce predation risk by increasing antipredator behaviours in areas of high long-term risk (risky places hypothesis), escalating antipredator behaviours when exposed to immediate risks (risky times hypothesis), varying responses to short-term risk based on long-term risk (risky times and risky places hypothesis, or predation risk allocation hypothesis) or altering antipredator behaviours based on habitat characteristics (habitat complexity risk mediation hypothesis). Most research on responses to predation risk has come from studies on herbivore prey, whereas little research has focused on mesopredator behavioural responses to risk. We studied antipredator behaviours of mesopredator cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus , exposed to top predator risk from lions, Panthera leo , and leopards, Panthera pardus , by using a playback experiment to manipulate short-term predation risk in areas of differing long-term risk. We did not find support for the risky places hypothesis; cheetah vigilance was not influenced by long-term risk. On the contrary, we found support for the risky times hypothesis; cheetahs were more vigilant and more likely to flee following lion and leopard playbacks. Additionally, we did not find support for the risky times and risky places hypothesis or the predation risk allocation hypothesis; cheetah antipredator behaviours following a predator playback were not associated with long-term predation risk. Finally, cheetahs had higher baseline vigilance in areas of open vegetation but were more likely to flee from lion sounds in areas of dense vegetation and from leopards in areas of open vegetation. We highlight the importance of understanding spatial and temporal factors that influence mesopredator risk perception and show that antipredator behaviours can differ among trophic levels. • Cheetahs vary antipredator behaviours based on short-term risk and habitat features. • Cheetahs increased vigilance and were likely to flee following predator playbacks. • Long-term risk of encountering top predators did not influence cheetah vigilance. • Cheetahs were more likely to flee from leopard playbacks in open habitats. • Cheetahs were more likely to flee from lion playbacks in dense vegetation.