We examined the influence of moonlight and understorey cover on seven 20–2500 g mammalian prey species and two introduced predators, red foxes and feral cats.
We used remote cameras in southeastern Australia to compare support for the predation risk and habitat-mediated predation risk hypotheses. Determining the role of vegetation in reducing perceived risk is important, especially given predictions of increased global wildfire, which consumes vegetation and increases predation. Many prey species will suffer increased risk on moonlit nights, but risk may be reduced by the presence of dense vegetation. Anti-predator strategies by prey are stimulated by direct encounters with predators, but also by exposure to indicators of risk such as moonlight illumination and vegetation cover.
Predation influences prey survival and drives evolution of anti-predator behaviour.
