Studying the neural basis of prey catching behavior across species for over 60 years has significantly advanced our understanding of the most conserved aspects of visual system function. Our team builds upon this important foundation to understand how fundamental visual processes, such as motion-triggered visual orienting, evolve across species and are modulated within species by life-stage and/or reproductive status. Towards this goal, we primarily study the neural basis of motion- and prey-triggered natural visual orienting behavior in the mouse model. Our specific aims are to understand the neural circuit subcortical mechanisms that critically regulate adaptive variations in these behaviors that depend on developmental stage, sex and hunger drive. Predatory behaviors and related visual orienting, are strategically regulated across species by these internal “states” in particular across a broad range of species from birds and bats to primates.