Foraging behavior and microhabitat use by spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus andA-russatus, in the presence of Blanford's fox (Vulpes cana) ODOR

We investigated the responses of common and golden spiny mice (Acomys cahir inus and A. russatus, respectively) to the fecal odor of Blanford's fox (Vu lpes cana), a predator of Acomys, which overlaps in habitat use with the mi ce. Neither species of mouse showed a significant response to the presence of fox odor compared with the presence of the fecal odor of a local herbivo re (Nubian ibex, Capra ibex nubia). One explanation is that the impact of p redation from V. cana may be sufficiently low that the cost of avoidance, i n terms of missed feeding opportunities, conveys little selective advantage . Alternatively fecal odor may not provide a focused cue of immediate dange r for spiny mice. The diurnal A. russatus showed a stronger (near significa nt) response than the nocturnal A. cahirinus to fecal odor of this nocturna l predator. This may be a legacy of the underlying nocturnal activity rhyth m of A. russatus or may indicate a generally more cautious response to pred ator odors, as A. russatus has a much stronger preference for sheltered mic rohabitats than A. cahirinus.