Fear of large predators drives mesopredators to safer areas

Fear of large predators drives mesopredators to safer areas

Subject: Environment

Section: Biodiversity

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• Medium-sized carnivorous species — mesopredators like coyotes or bobcats — tend to move into human-dominated areas to avoid predation by larger carnivores, a phenomenon also known as the “human shield” effect.
• But this places the safety-seeking species at considerably greater risk for mortality due to human activities. The findings (Science) describe a “paradox of the lethal human shield” for mesopredators, which has been linked to increased wildlife survival rates in some instances.

Mesopredators:

• Mesopredators are a group of animals that occupy the middle level in the food chain, between top predators and their prey. They are typically medium-sized carnivores that feed on smaller animals but are themselves preyed upon by larger predators.
• Mesopredators are carnivorous animals that are not at the top of the food chain but also not at the bottom. They play an important role in regulating the populations of their prey species and can have cascading effects on ecosystem dynamics.
• Some examples of mesopredators include foxes, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, and small-to-medium-sized wildcats like bobcats and lynxes. These animals typically have a diverse diet and may feed on a variety of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.
• Mesopredators help control the populations of their prey species, preventing them from overpopulating and exerting excessive pressure on their food resources. By regulating prey populations, mesopredators indirectly influence the abundance and distribution of other species in the ecosystem.
• In some cases, when the population of top predators declines or is removed from an ecosystem, mesopredators can experience a population increase and become more dominant. This phenomenon is known as mesopredator release and can have significant ecological consequences.
• Mesopredators can come into conflict with humans, particularly in human-dominated landscapes. They may prey on livestock or become a nuisance in urban areas. Balancing the needs of human communities and the conservation of mesopredators is an important aspect of wildlife management.