Abstract For prey species to be successful, they must balance the conflicting demands of obtaining the resources necessary for survival while avoiding being killed by predators. This has a hierarchy of approaches that begins with avoiding dangerous (=predators) times and locations, using dangerous locations but adopting behaviours and tactics that assist prey in detecting predators first. If a predator detects them, they may also plan for this by staying in groups, thereby diluting the chance of being the individual that is killed or using coordinated group defence. Individuals may also employ toxins or specialised morphologies that deter a predator from attacking or assist in escape. Assuming that individual behaviour is not affected by the presence of parasites, prey may also escape predators after capture using specialised morphologies, and even ejecting limbs. Ultimately, captured prey may even try to attract other predators with the hope of escaping during the ensuing melee. Key Concepts Behavioural trade‐offs. The role of predators in affecting habitat quality. Costs and benefits of group living. The role of antipredator morphology. Batesian and Mullerian mimicry. The impact of parasites and how they can modify behaviour. Animal scaling, physics and its impact upon behaviour. The ecological importance of predators. Conservation ecology.