The idea that there’s safety in numbers might be well known, but it’s one that is difficult to test in many species.
A recent University of Washington study based on decades of historical data found Pacific salmon in larger groups are less likely to be eaten by predators.
The study, published June 29 in the journal Science Advances, found unique support for the “safety in numbers” hypothesis by looking at data collected from 1956 to 1991 for four species of Pacific salmon — sockeye, chum, coho and pink.
