The influence of the presence of a predator odor on the non-vigilant behaviors of food-deprived house mice (Mus musculus)

Abstract

In order to avoid predation, prey species must trade off the amount of time they spend on non-vigilant behaviors with being vigilant. We tested whether or not food-deprived male house mice (Mus musculus) spent less time on non-vigilant behaviors (feeding, grooming) when exposed to the odor of a corn snake (Elaphe guttata) compared to control odors (distilled water or deer urine). Although mice exposed to snake odor did not spend less time feeding or grooming, they did respond differently to the odors depending on their percent weight loss during food deprivation. Mice exposed to snake odor and that had a lower percent weight loss engaged in fewer feeding bouts and tended to wait longer to eat than did mice exposed to water. Interestingly, mice that were exposed to snake odor and ate sooner fed at a higher rate per feeding bout than did mice exposed to deer urine. Our results suggest that mice that did not lose as much weight did not take as many risks when exposed to a potential predator. However, if mice did lose more weight, they took more risks (e.g. engaged in more feeding bouts), but may diminish these risks by feeding more quickly.