Spatial planning with long visual range benefits escape from visual predators in complex naturalistic environments

Abstract

Habitat complexity influences the sensory ecology of predator-prey interactions. Here, the authors show that habitat complexity also affects the use of different decision-making paradigms, namely habit- and plan-based action selection. Simulations across habitat types show that only savanna-like terrestrial habitats favor planning during visually-guided predator evasion, while aquatic and simple terrestrial habitats do not.