Possible Functions of Predator Harassment in Pronghorn Antelopes
Lipetz VE and Bekoff M. 1980. Possible Functions of Predator Harassment in Pronghorn Antelopes. Journal of Mammalogy. 61(4):741-743
Predator harrassment (Berger, 1979) usually is a rarely observed form of defense in ungulates that involves chasing a predator by members of prey species. During summer 1978 and 1979, we saw pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, chase coyotes (Canis latrans) on 25 occasions, Kruuk (1972) and Berger (1979) suggested various hypotheses quantitatively (though the rarity of the event leads to small samples). We propose that it may be possible to choose among hypotheses by analyzing the sex and age structure of pronghorn groups with particular emphasis on the initiators of chases.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Lipetz, Valerie; Bekoff, Marc
- Units
- GRTE
- Keywords
- Aggression, Animal Behavior, Animal Studies, Animals, antelope, Behavior, fighting, flight, Game Animals, Mammal Behavior, Mammals, Predators, Prey, Protection, Social Behavior, Sociobiology, Territory, traits, Wildlife, Zoology
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals