1. Characterizing variation in predator behaviour and, specifically, quantifying kill rates is fundamental for parameterizing predator–prey and food web models. Yet, current methods for recording kill rates of free-ranging predators, particularly those that consume small-bodied (<2 kg) prey, present a number of associated challenges.
2. In this paper, we deployed custom-adapted acoustic recorders and tri-axial accelerometers on free-ranging Canada lynx Lynx canadensis to assess the capacity of biologging devices to continuously document individual hunting behaviour, including prey selection and kill rates, on a predator that specializes on prey weighing <2 kg.
3. Automated classification of acoustic recordings captured 87% of snowshoe hare kills that were identified through snow-tracking (26 of 31 kills). Classification of detailed acceleration recordings summarized over minutes, instead of seconds, captured consumption of snowshoe hare Lepus americanus, but not smaller species, at high accuracy (F1 = 0.96).
4. By summarizing acoustic and accelerometer data from free-ranging lynx, we demonstrate the capacity of these devices to document within- and between-individual variation in diet composition (ranging from 40% to 80% snowshoe hares) and daily feeding bouts (ranging from 0 to 3.5 bouts per day).
5. We suggest that acoustic recorders provide a promising method for characterizing several aspects of predator hunting behaviour including prey selection and chase outcomes, while broad-scale accelerometer-based behavioural classifications provide hare kill rates and fine-scale non-hunting behavioural information. Combined, the two technologies provide a means to remotely document both kills and feeding events of small-bodied prey, allowing for individual-based exploration of functional responses, predator–prey interactions and food web dynamics at temporal scales relevant to environmental change.

中文翻译：

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Purr-fect Catch：使用加速度计和录音机记录小型猎物专家的杀戮率和狩猎行为

1. 表征捕食者行为的变化，特别是量化杀伤率是参数化捕食者-猎物和食物网模型的基础。然而，目前记录自由放养捕食者的杀戮率的方法，特别是那些消耗体型较小（<2 公斤）猎物的捕食者，提出了许多相关的挑战。
2. 在本文中，我们部署了定制适应声学记录仪和三轴加速计对自由放养的加拿大猞猁猞猁飞蓬评估biologging设备不断记录个人狩猎行为，包括猎物的选择和杀灭率的能力，对专门捕食对体重<2公斤的猎物。
3. 声学记录的自动分类捕获了 87% 通过雪跟踪确定的雪鞋野兔杀戮（31 次杀戮中的 26 次）。在几分钟内而不是几秒钟内汇总的详细加速度记录的分类以高精度（F1 = 0.96）捕获了雪鞋野兔美洲兔的消费，但不是较小的物种。
4. 通过总结来自自由放养山猫的声学和加速度计数据，我们展示了这些设备记录饮食成分（范围从 40% 到 80% 的雪兔）和每日喂食次数（范围从 0到每天 3.5 次）。
5. 我们建议声学记录器提供了一种有前景的方法来表征捕食者狩猎行为的几个方面，包括猎物选择和追逐结果，而基于加速度计的大范围行为分类提供野兔死亡率和精细的非狩猎行为信息。结合起来，这两种技术提供了一种远程记录小型猎物的杀戮和进食事件的方法，允许在与环境变化相关的时间尺度上对功能反应、捕食者-猎物相互作用和食物网动态进行基于个体的探索。