Who is the most underrated predator in the animal kingdom?

10/28/2018

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Nature Story: Who is the most underrated predator in the animal kingdom?

African Hunting Dogs

These ones are about to drop 2018’s hottest hip hop album. (Credit: Will Burrard-Lucas)

What animal do you think is the most successful when it comes to hunts?

Nope, it’s not lions, tigers, hyenas or wolves (not by a long shot) or even cheetahs—it’s African hunting dogs. I guess the name gives an indication of their prowess.

They might not look like the most fearsome predators, but these animals, otherwise known as African wild dogs, are extremely efficient hunters and a perfect example that “teamwork makes the dream work.”

Figures on success rates vary. The Guinness World Records gives the most conservative estimate at 50–70% of hunts ending in a kill: (Most successful predator). Other sources claim numbers as high as 85%: (Hunting success rates: how predators compare), while wikipedia gives a figure of 60–90%, compared to up to 30% for both lions and hyenas.

Who’s laughing now, hyenas?! (Credit: Joel Sartore)

Whatever the figure, the consensus is that these dogs are at the top of the predator leaderboard, and by a considerable margin. What makes them so successful though?

Well, they’re very social animals and both live and hunt in large packs. They prefer to take down antelope, though they can also tackle larger animals such as wildebeest. Their method involves pursuit at a high pace (up to 40mph).

From wikipedia:

The average chase typically only goes as far as 2 km, during which time the prey animal, if large, is repeatedly bitten on the legs, belly, and rump until it stops running, while smaller prey is simply pulled down and torn apart. L. pictus hunting strategies differ according to prey, with wildebeest being rushed at to panic the herd and isolate a vulnerable individual, whereas territorial antelope species, which defend themselves by running in wide circles, are captured by cutting off their escape routes.

There you go. Versatile and work well as a team. Plus they have cute puppies.

(Credit: Zooborns)

Severely underrated.

This information was taken from Quora. Click here to view the original post.

Do you agree that African hunting dogs are the most underrated predators?

#animals #Nature #Quora

What are your thoughts on this subject?

27 Comments

Elsy O. Stromberg

Those puppies look angry.

Elsy O. Stromberg

Caroline Weis, They ARE dogs, but not painted.

Caroline Weis

Looking at the picture, they look like painted dogs, but I may be mistaken. Oh well I don't know that much about African wild life.

steve

Years ago, I saw a National Geographic Special on these predators. As a pack, they systematically attacked a zeal of zebras, avoided the males, separated a young female, and surrounded her. One dog grabbed her by the tail, while another dog latched on to her upper lip. The zebra did not know what her priority target was, and the moment of indecision sealed her fate. The rest of the pack attacked her, forced her down, and ripped her apart, feasting on fresh zebra meat. A young puppy, deemed "Solo" by the narrator, since she seemed to be somewhat of an outcast, also competed for a share of the spoils, demonstrating that she was capable of survival with the pack.

Satish Chandran

Yes,tiring the victim is the best psychlogy.

Conrado De Leon

I read that the most devastating predator is the domestic cat.

Julie Allen

Gabriel Pate, Not enough domestic dog breeds already?

Nancy Gardner

I didn’t realize they were so deadly.

Jim Adams

I would have picked the Honey Badger.

Jim Adams

Gabriel Pate, if raised from a puppy the African wild dog will be more tolerant of the person who raised him but he will still retain over 90% of his wildness. They don’t make good pets!

Shae Deschenes

I have heard about them but did not place them in the top 5 of some of the predators. I had a laugh looking at the pups. They are just little but they sure look grumpy in this picture.

Juniperbrenda

Who knew?

Gabriel Pate

Can they be domesticated?

Patrick G Cox

Diane Butterfield, they generally avoid humans, but are definitely worth being very cautious around. They are quite widely represented in Africa, and they are canine, not lupine. I’m not aware of any attacks on humans, but that may only be because victims may not have been reported.