Ecotourism is becoming more prominent as it provides valuable insights into the behaviors, interactions, and habitats of various animals that may not be seen in urban environments. Observing patterns allows us to understand strategies and techniques animals use to mate, forage, and survive. In addition, knowing cues and signals produced by individuals, helps scientists to interpret their vast web intricacies. However, ecotourism is not always sustainable and can be damaging to the environment especially during peak tourist months when interference is higher. As scientists it is important to not invade nor disrupt the natural order since human presence may compromise opportunities to forage and reproduce (Lima, 1987).
In a recent study, scientists focused on how camera lenses affect vigilance in yellow-bellied marmots, during foraging by increasing their alertness from potential predators, such as humans (K.Uchida et al,. 2022). Camera lenses could simulate predator’s eyes and intimidate those furry friends. To do this, researchers studied Flight Initiation Distance (FID), a metric to study behavioral responses to perceived threats.
FID measures how quickly an animal will flee the site to safety after a potential threat is present. This observational method allows scientists to deduce an individual’s risk assessment, physiological condition, and decision-making strategies. The study organisms, marmots, are rodents that are active from April to late September and reside in mountainous areas. This study focused on the upper East River Valley, Virginia, which is a popular destination for hiking, vacationing year-round.
Seven groups of marmots were observed and had what researchers defined as “semi-regular” human contact. For repetition, researchers only focused on adult and yearling Marmots that were seen to be in a relaxed state. To determine what variables prompt escape impulse, surveyors identified marmots by their fur mark and approached them at a constant speed with and without a camera to determine the variability of flight initiation distance – recording the position of each individual.
An observer approached the marmot and promptly stopped at the alert distance (AD) where the individual noticed the observer. FID was measured when the Marmot fled from the observer. A total of 92 observations were made from 55 marmots. The study found no significant changes in total vigilance due to treatment or time intervals. However, the reachers found notable variation in their behavior which indicates these rodents get intrigued by humans and other creatures lurking around. Interestingly, females exhibited higher vigilance and had a larger FID.
Overall, this study aimed to see how animals rank risk. This behavioral strategy is vital to survival. Their findings showed that the Marmots became more vigilant when a camera was present, but this did not necessarily change their behavior. However, the small variation in the data exposes the possibility that anthropogenic factors could strain the ability of animals to rank risks over time thus increasing their susceptibility to predators. Within social reactions be it kin or predators, it is beneficial if an animal can successfully evaluate and recognize signals and cues. Younger marmots seemed more sensitive to photography implying that rank assessment is a learned trait of social interactions. Many studies have shown that efficiency in interpreting signals increases by learning from others. The older generation has more social interactions; therefore, improving their accuracy at evaluating risks. For example, Shier & Owings 2007 examined prairie dogs’ alarm calls and how they change from geriatric to juvenile individuals. They determined that during the early months of life, pups rely on elders to teach them the association of calls and predators.
By creating pattern recognition, the prairie dogs will rank known risks using their prior knowledge; like the marmots did. This gives logical reasoning for why younger marmots exhibited a smaller FID response and decreased vigilance when a camera was present because social cues are a learned behavior. Enhancing our understanding of social behavior in species is a helpful tool for scientists to gauge their interactions with animals and create protocols for conservation practices. Nature doesn’t hesitate to remind us that we should respect ecosystems and it should become an inherent practice to minimize disruption to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
References
- Shier, D. M., & Owings, D. H. 2007. Effects of social learning on predator training and postrelease survival in juvenile black-tailed prairie dogs, Cynomys ludovicianus. Animal Behaviour 73:567–577.
- Image “FID Response in Marmots and Camera Lens,” created in BioRender.com (2023).
- Steven L. Lima, Back to the basics of anti-predatory vigilance: the group-size effect, Animal Behaviour, Volume 49, Issue 1, 1995, Pages 11-20,ISSN 0003-3472. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(95)80149-9
- Uchida, K., Burkle, A.A. and Blumstein, D.T. (2023), Take only pictures, leave only… Cameras influence marmot vigilance but not perceptions of risk. J Zool, 319: 143-151. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.13032
