When you’re a\u00a0little\u00a0creature in the animal kingdom, you need to be constantly on the lookout for danger. But researchers have discovered that one animal significantly changes its behaviour when it thinks battles might come about in the future \u2013 and how costly those\u00a0battles\u00a0might be.<\/p>\n
New research from the University of Bristol demonstrates how\u00a0dwarf mongooses\u00a0(Helogale parvula<\/em>) respond to the potential of future encounters with rival groups. The animals alter their behaviour when they are in an area most likely to get into a fight with a rival group, even when a rival group is nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n