Vigilance of kit foxes at water sources: A test of competing hypotheses for a solitary carnivore subject to predation

• Published in: Behavioural processes Vol. 94; pp. 76 - 82
• Main Authors: Hall, Lucas K., Day, Casey C., Westover, Matthew D., Edgel, Robert J., Larsen, Randy T., Knight, Robert N., McMillan, Brock R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal ethology; Animals; antipredatory behavior; Behavior, Animal; Biological and medical sciences; cameras; Carnivore; carnivores; Cues; Environment; Foxes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Linear Models; Predation; predators; Predatory Behavior; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Refuge; Risk; Utah; Vigilance; Visibility; Vulpes; Vulpes macrotis; Water; Water source; Utah; Vigilance; Visibility; Predation; Refuge; Carnivore; Water source; Defensive behavior; Carnivorous animal

► We tested three competing hypotheses regarding vigilance of prey at water sources. ► Kit foxes were less vigilant at water sources with obstructed visibility. ► The refuge-vigilance hypothesis explained the most variation in vigilance behavior. ► Solitary prey may use concealing cover to maximize...