Spatial Predator–Prey

Predators chase prey across a landscape. Unlike the well-mixed equations, space creates chasing waves, refuges, and boom-bust patches.

Spatial Predator–PreyLive

agent-based ecology on a grid

Controls

Speed1×

Prey (green) spread; predators (red) hunt them and starve without food. Spatial structure creates traveling waves the classic equations can't show.

Presets

Prey reproduction

Predator starvation

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Prey0

Predators0

Grid140×140

Lotka–Volterra (mean field)

\frac{d x}{d t} = 0.50 x - β x y, \frac{d y}{d t} = δ x y - 0.020 y

Reading this result: Predators have died out — with starvation at 0.02 they could not reach prey fast enough, so prey now fill the grid unchecked.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

★ Sign in to save this setup

Save your tuned setup, or drop this simulation into your own site, docs, or course page.

How it works

This agent-based model puts prey and predators on a grid: prey reproduce into empty cells, predators convert adjacent prey and starve without food. Spatial structure produces spiral and traveling waves that the classic Lotka–Volterra equations — which assume perfect mixing — cannot capture.

✦

Ask the AI about this model

The math, the assumptions, real-world uses, or a code translation — explained for this exact simulation.

Related live simulations

Visual Node Graph Particle / N-Body 2D Fluid (CFD)Dynamical Systems Heat & Wave Fields Symbolic Math AI Surrogate GPU Compute (WebGPU)

Frequently asked questions

Is this predator prey simulation tool really free?▾

Yes. Spatial Predator–Prey runs entirely in your browser using your device's own compute, so local use is free forever. You only pay Compute Tokens if you scale a job to the cloud.

Do I need to install anything?▾

No. Everything runs client-side in a modern browser — no downloads, no license, no account required to start.

Can I save or share my simulation?▾

Create a free account to save projects, and use a shareable embed or minted DOI to publish a live, interactive version anywhere.

How accurate are the results?▾

The solver uses established numerical methods, but results are for research and educational purposes and should be validated against experiment or professional review before you rely on them.