Coupling Forward Locomotor Vision with Peripheral Looming Cues in Predator–Prey Interactions

Prey animals escaping a predator must maintain stable forward locomotion while simultaneously monitoring a threat approaching from behind. Forward vision supports terrain assessment and gait stability, whereas peripheral vision provides acute sensitivity to looming—the optical expansion of an approaching object. Although both processes are well documented across diverse animal taxa, their combined role in coordinating escape behavior during active pursuit predation has not been formally described. This manuscript proposes that prey integrate forward terrain monitoring with peripheral looming detection to dynamically regulate stride parameters, speed, and directional adjustments during pursuit. Supporting evidence for this dual visual strategy is outlined, the proposed parallel-processing mechanism is described, and explicit, testable predictions for behavioral and biomechanical studies are presented. This integrated framework offers a new perspective on how animals optimize both locomotor stability and situational awareness under intense predation pressure.