Work

Predation experiments with 3D-printed lizard models yield limited responses in pheasants

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Animal colouration has been viewed as an adaptation shaped by both abiotic and biotic factors, balancing sexual attractiveness against predation risk. In studying predator-prey dynamics, using 3D models as prey surrogates is common, but material constraints can affect outcomes in both natural and seminatural settings. Here, we utilized 3D-printed models representing three colour morphs of sand lizards ( Lacerta agilis ) to investigate interactions with captive-bred pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) utilizing forced exploration experiments in an outdoor arena fitted with a grass carpet. The models adequately represented the lizard colouration across a reflectance spectral range of 330–800 nm. Our findings indicate that the pheasants generally exhibited a minimal response to static models, with significant differences observed only in younger birds (7–12 weeks old), demonstrating a higher alert response than adults. No effects were found relating to the colour morph or sex of the lizard models. These results suggest that immobile 3D-printed prey models may be insufficient to trigger natural predator responses in this predator-prey system, highlighting potential limitations of static models in eliciting predator reaction.

Source: PeerJ

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.20103

Authors: Radovan Smolinský, Ivo Adam, Zuzana Hiadlovská, Shubhra Sau, Pavel Škrabánek, Natália Martínková