Olfactory Cues and Predation Risk in Mammalian Species

Mammalian species rely heavily on their sense of smell to assess predation risk and to navigate complex ecological interactions. Olfactory cues emitted by predators—ranging from urine and faeces to skin and glandular secretions—convey vital information about the presence, diet and territorial status of carnivores. Prey animals detect these semiochemicals through dedicated pathways in the main and accessory olfactory systems, triggering rapid behavioural and physiological responses such as vigilance, flight and altered foraging patterns. The integration of chemical signals with visual and auditory inputs enables mammals to fine-tune antipredator strategies in heterogeneous landscapes. Understanding these olfactory interactions has broad implications, including the development of non-lethal pest management approaches, insights into ecosystem dynamics and the conservation of at-risk species under changing environmental pressures.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have shown that manipulating predator-related odours can yield sustainable management tools. One investigation introduced an “odour camouflage” approach in an agricultural setting, applying synthetic scent blends to newly sown crops. This tactic obscured the scent of buried seeds, leading to a substantial reduction in foraging by wild house mice without the use of toxicants. In another study, detailed chemical profiling of wolf faeces revealed seasonal, sexual and reproductive variations in volatile compounds. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, researchers identified lipophilic steroids, heterocyclic aromatics and stabilising antioxidants that vary according to marking function. The study illuminated how individual and group identity is encoded in faecal deposits and how prey species might extract risk-related information from these complex chemical signatures.

Olfactory Cues and Predation Risk in Mammalian Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in olfactory cues and predation risk in mammalian species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Kairomone: A chemical cue released by one species that elicits a beneficial response in another, typically a prey detecting a predator.

Pheromone: A semiochemical used for intraspecific communication, such as marking territory or signalling reproductive status.

Odour camouflage: The strategic masking of target scents with synthetic or alternative odours to disrupt predator or pest foraging behaviour.

Accessory olfactory bulb: A specialised brain structure that processes pheromonal and kairomonal signals, initiating innate behavioural and hormonal responses.

References

1. Olfactory misinformation reduces wheat seed loss caused by rodent pests. Nature Sustainability (2023).
2. Evaluating the functional, sexual and seasonal variation in the chemical constituents from feces of adult Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus). Scientific Reports (2023).
3. Behavioral and neurobiological implications of kairomones for rodents: an updated review. Frontiers in Neuroscience (2025).
4. Parameters That Affect Fear Responses in Rodents and How to Use Them for Management. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2019).