The Landscape of Fear

The Landscape of Fear refers to how animals perceive and navigate their environment based on the threat of predators. Areas where predators are common or hidden can cause prey to feel anxious, altering their behavior—like avoiding certain spots or moving cautiously. This fear influences not just individual animals but also shapes the overall ecosystem, affecting where animals feed, rest, or hide. It’s a dynamic mental map that helps prey make decisions for safety, highlighting how fear, rather than just physical obstacles, plays a crucial role in shaping natural behaviors and the environment.