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Predator recognition is the prerequisite for antipredatory behaviour. The ability to recognize predator may be inborn or acquired. The mammals as well as majority of birds have common care for brood. Many of both groups form more or less complicated societies. All those support naive individuals in acquiring knowledge of predators through the social learning that is not as risky as learning through experience. Studies of inborn or acquired recognition as applied by mammals and birds may bring generalized closures about various learning forms by both of these groups. Surprisingly, no systematic observations were made to the matter. As recent studies show, the naive mammals and birds may recognize predators, no conforming results were presented yet. Obviously, the recognition is depending on the incentives presented. Alive predator invokes more intensive response than any model, while the olfactory efficacy depends on the carrying medium. The recent studies in an integrant part neither allow to determine experimental precision. To do so, much larger volume of predators and controls should be made. However, studies of the kind are rare. Studies of mammal and birds' inborn and acquired predator recognition still remain the attractive research theme. Keywords: predator, recognition, innated, learned,...

The thesis results of two laboratory experiments focusing on the impacts of predation risk, prey density and habitat complexity on predator-prey interaction strengths and predator metabolic rates, complemented by a brief review of the subject. The experimental system used in the first experiment consisted of cladoceran prey, larvae of three dragonfly species (Sympetrum sanguineum, Libellula quadrimaculata, Ischnura cf. elegans) as intermediate predators, and larvae of a large dragonfly species (Aeshna sp.) as a top predator. The second experiment of investigated how predation risk influences metabolic rates of the intermediate predators.

Responses of tadpoles Bombina variegata (likely unexperienced with predator) to pulses of risk and safety were tested and compared with results of a bachelor thesis previously done on tadpoles Bufo bufo (species likely experienced with predator) to confirm the risk allocation hypothesis. Differences of overall activity of both species were not significant. Differences in activity between Bufo bufo and Bombina variegata tadpoles held in continual risk conditions were observed. Such behavior possibilities are discussed.