Asymmetrical predation intensity produces divergent antipredator behaviors in primary and secondary prey

It is widely recognized that predators can influence prey through both direct consumption and by inducing costly antipredator behaviors, the latter of which can produce nonconsumptive effects that cascade through trophic systems. Yet, determining how particular prey manage risk in natural settings remains challenging as empirical studies disproportionately focus on single predator-prey dyads. Here, we contrast foraging strategies within the context of a primary and secondary prey to explore how antipredator behaviors emerge as a product of predation intensity as well as the setting in which an encounter takes place. We studied the effects of spotted owls (Strix occidentalis) on two species experiencing asymmetrical risk: dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes; primary prey) and deer mice (Peromyscus spp.; alternative prey). Woodrats are most abundant within young forest, but predominantly captured by owls foraging within mature forest; in contrast, deer mice occur in high densities acr..., This dataset was collected during behavioral experiments of foraging behavior in the field in the Sierra Nevada mountains in summer 2021. The video data was processed using the BORIS software, while the rest of the analysis was done in R and data was curated in Excel. , , # Asymmetrical predation intensity produces divergent antipredator behaviors in primary and secondary prey

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qjq2bvqqp](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qjq2bvqqp)

## Description of the data and file structure

These datasets were collected in the central Sierra Nevada, California as part of an experimental study of foraging behaviors. The data consist of response variables from a combination of video footage, values of food in the beginning and remaining in a patch after a foraging night, and predictor variables including age, sex, weight, and body condition for woodrats from direct captures, and habitat data collected from both vegetative surveys on the ground and variables derived from ArcGIS. They have been processed in BORIS, R, and ArcGIS.

This dataset consists of 6 files for datasets and 3 files for R code. They are listed below, followed by individual tables for each .csv file that better describes the individual data files and variables within. 

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