How does deer behaviour change in areas with mountain lions?

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Deer behaviour shifts significantly in mountain lion habitats due to fear

In areas with a high presence of mountain lions on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, deer exhibit marked changes in their behaviour. These alterations, driven by the perceived threat of predators, lead to a substantial reduction in vehicle collisions involving deer. The primary driver for these behavioural shifts is fear, rather than a decrease in the deer population through direct predation.
Reduced roadway presence

Vehicle collisions with deer have been observed to decrease by as much as 76 per cent in regions where mountain lions are frequently present. This significant drop suggests that deer actively alter their movement patterns to avoid areas associated with danger.
Avoidance of developed zones

In the presence of mountain lions, deer demonstrate a clear tendency to steer clear of roadways and developed areas. This behaviour indicates a heightened awareness of human-dominated environments as potentially risky due to the predator's influence.
Decreased nocturnal activity

Furthermore, deer in these environments reduce their activity during nighttime hours. This curtailment of nocturnal movement is a direct response to the increased risk associated with being active when predators are most likely to hunt.

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How does deer behaviour change in areas with mountain lions?

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