![]() They are powerful enough to steal the kills of all other predators and will take carrion that is days old. In studies across Africa Lions rank low on the success scale and in some areas they are at less than twenty percent success rate. Despite this Lions are of the least successful predators and in many areas they scavenge more than they kill. Lions are the most powerful predator and they live in prides, making it easier to kill larger prey. A Leopard can lift more than its own body weight into the branches. The power of the Leopard enables it to pull the carcass into a tree away from other predators such as Lions and Hyenas that have been known to steal their kills. Leopard use a combination of stealth and patience when hunting, moving in as close as possible to the prey before attempting a charge or lying in wait for the prey to come within range. Jackals have been known to take kills from Cheetah. They are normally exhausted after a kill and unable to fight back when other predators steal the carcass from them. Although Cheetahs have speed they do not have stamina and generally hunt alone or in pairs meaning that, not only is their prey small Antelope, but that they can only keep up the chase for short distances. This ratio drops a little with smaller packs due to the fact that there are less individuals to maintain a chase. This is calculated on the kills per chase ratio. In some studies done the success rate of the Wild Dog is 90%. Due to their hunting technique Wild Dogs rank at the top of the chain when it comes to success rate. ![]() Using stamina they can keep up a chase for long distances and wear down their prey. Wild dogs hunt by selecting a prey and chasing it down. Within minutes eight more Hyenas were on the scene and the Buffalo was killed quickly. After a while the Buffalo began to bellow at each bite. ![]() The Hyena happened on the old bull by chance and sensing that the Buffalo was in trouble the Hyena began to bite at various parts of the body, moving away each time the bull struggled. I have observed a single Hyena in the Okavango Delta tackling an old Buffalo bull that was unable to stand up. ![]() The distress calls of animals carry to predators, in particular Lions, Hyenas and Jackal that will then react to the sound. Observing Jackals hunting in scrub or long grass they will stop regularly to listen for sounds in the undergrowth or scent holes in the ground to locate prey. They hunt rodents, birds and other small mammals. Jackals will use sight, sound and scent when hunting. The Foxes are known to hear Termites up to 30 cm underground. This is due to the fact that they get better with practice at one species.īat-eared foxes move around with their large ears close to the ground listening for the movement of insects underground, particularly Termites, and when they hear the prey they will dig furiously to get to it. In these areas the success rate is higher than areas where they hunt a range of prey species. In many areas of Africa lions have adapted to hunting a particular prey species. Lions are the most opportunistic hunters, killing whatever crosses their path or walks into them while they are sleeping. They will lie low waiting for the prey to get as close as possible. Both these predators will use patience at times if the prey is moving in their direction. The Leopard will use stealth as it tries to get in as close as possible to the prey before using power to overcome the prey. Stealth, stamina, power, patience, speed, sound, smell and sight - these are all techniques used by predators when hunting.īy Leigh Kemp Insight into the hunting techniquesįor example a Cheetah, the fastest land mammal, will rely on a burst of speed to catch its prey but the initial part of the hunt will involve the stealth of a stalk to get within range of its chosen prey.
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