Carnivores Flashcards
What are 7 examples of vertebrates genets hunt?
Rodents
Bats
Bush Babies’=
Birds up to the size of chickens
Lizards
Snakes
Frogs
What habitats can you find genets in?
almost everywhere except the Sahara
Rain forest, woodland, also drier and unforested regions
What do genets eat? (4)
Small vertebrates
Invertebrates
Fruits
Nectar
Name 7 invertebrates genets hunt?
grasshopper
Crickets
Beetles
Spiders
Centepedes
Scorpions
Moths
How many genets live together?
Solitary / 1
When are genets most active?
Nocturnal
Name.2 anti-predator behaviors seen in genets?
offensive & defensive threat displays with accompanying vocalizations
How large are civets?
Size and shape of a racoon
What habitats will you find civets in?
throughout tropical Africa except the most arid parts and wherever there is cover close to water.
What 5 general categories of food do civets eat?
Omnivorous
Fruits and Vegetables
Invertebrates
Preys on vertebrates the size of newborn antelope
Readily eats carrion
How many civets live together?
Solitary
When are civets most active?
Strictly Nocturnal
very rarely seen during the day.
Where do civets sleep / shelter?
In holes or in dense undergrowth
How do civets catch prey?
They don’t stalk prey, thry pounce on small prey or grab it from its hiding place
What 2 specific killing methods do civets use once they’ve caught their prey?
Death Shake: gripping prey by the neck and shaking it so violently it breaks the backs of their prey.
Killing Bite
When is civet calving season?
early in the rains
What body language does an anxious civet display?
head lowered, narrow eyes, flexed legs and slinks with dorsal crest lower than usual.
What habitats can you find slender Mongoose in?
almost everywhere south of the Sahara where there’s cover except deserts
What do slender mongoose eat?
3 categories
small vertebrates
insects
rarely fruit
When are slender mongoose most active?
Diurnal
Where do slender mongoose sleep / take refuge?
5 examples
in termite mounds,
rock piles,
crevices,
holes in thr ground,
tree bases.
How many slender mongoose live together?
Solitary
When are slender mongoose most active?
In South Africa, specifically
Diurnal, specific times vary
In South Africa, they become active before full daylight and spend noon hours resting and sunning.
Name 3 predatory methods and behaviors seen in slender mongoose.
pouncing
chasing
flushing from hiding
What is the main killing method in slender mongoose?
killing bite
How do prey / small animals respond to slender mongoose?
with alarm calls
How do small birds respond to slender mongoose?
mobbing
Which 2 mongoose species attack slender mongoose if they come near a pack with young?
Dwarf mongoose
Banded Mongoose
When is slender mongoose calving season in South Africa?
October - December
Name 4 animal species slender Mongoosee have been known to play with.
Hyrax (Dassies)
Antelope
Monkeys
Ground Squirrels
Name 6 Antipredator behaviors seen in Slender Mongoose
Defensive threats
Bristling
Wide-mouth Threat (also seen in play)
Mock Attack
Alarm Calls
Growling
What habitats will you find Gray Mongoose?
Frequents dense vegetation such as rivering forest, reedbeds, and thickets bordering rivers, lakes and ponds.
When are gray mongoose most active?
Diurnal
What 2 main types of food do gray mongoose eat?
invertebrates
small vertebrates
When do gray mongoose do monst of their hunting?
In the early morning and late afternoons
What temperatures and conditions make gray mongoose withdraw into shrubbery?
temperatures above 27 C or below 11 C
During strong winds and rains
In gray mongoose, how are large and small prey killed?
Larger prey is killed with a neck bite
Smaller prey is killed with a head bite
How do gray mongoose hunt birds?
They behave strangely such as chasing their tales, rearing up and falling side to side etc. This either encourages the birds to mob—getting close enough to grab or makes them curious—bringing them close enough to grab.
What 2 main Antipredator behaviors are seen in slender mongoose?
(7 examples)
Defensive threat
-bristing
-lunging
-backing attack
-cackling
-screaming
-hissing
-spitting
Concealment
What habitats will you find white-tailed mongoose?
Mountains, savanna woodland, arid zones
Where are white-tailed mongoose most aundant?
grassland habitat with large populations of ungulates
What do white tailed mongoose eat? (2 main + 2 examples)
During the rains?
Large insects
Other Invertebrates
Harvester Termites and Ants
During the rains, they eat dung beetles.
When are white-tailed mongoose most active?
Strictly Nocturnal
they rise from their dens only after sunset and return before dawn.
What are 2 Antipredator behaviors seen in white-tailed mongoose?
Initial reaction to freeze
Relies on stink glands to deter predators
How many white-tailed mongoose live together?
Solitary
What habitat will you find Marsh Mongoose in?
Needs water and cover for concealment
What do marsh mongoose eat with 10 examples.
freshwater crabs
crayfish
mussels
clams
snails
fish
reptiles
bird eggs
frogs
worms
When are marsh mongoose most active?
Primarily but not strictly Nocturnal.
What is the primary hunting method of Marsh Mongoose?
wading in shallow water, groping for creatures with their dextrous hands
Name 5 predators of marsh mongoose
Hyena
Leopards
Lion
Crocodile
Pythons
Name 4 Antipredator behaviors seen in marsh mongoose?
low growl with sudden bark
escape into water
self-defense, especially in water
Backing attack
What habitat will you find yellow mongoose?
dry savannas and open plains
especially Kalahari Sandveld and floodplains
What common animal do yellow mongoose often share a den with?
Ground Squirrels
What do yellow mongoose eat?
3
Mostly insects taken near the surface and occasionally mice and reptiles.
Name 4 specific animals yellow mongoose hunt / eat?
harvester termites
beetles
grasshoppers
crickets
When are yellow mongoose most active?
Diurnal
Most active in the morning and late afternoon
How much time do yellow mongoose spend sunbathing and being social each day?
1.5 hours
How many yellow mongoose live together?
a mated pair and their offspring.
What hunting behavior do we see in yellow mongoose?
they hunt alone, digging in sandy soil for buried beetle larvae
Name 5 predators of yellow mongoose?
Large eagles
Black-backed Jackals
Caracal
Cobra
Black Mamba
Name 4 Antipredator behaviors seen in yellow mongoose
tail raised in an S curve
Alarm Posture
Short bark
danger signal
What habitat can you find dwarf mongoose?
numerous termite mounds, woody. vegetation such as thicket, open woodland, scattered bush
What do dwarf. mongoose eat?
- examples
beetles
crickets
grasshoppers
spiders
termites
scorpions
Are dwaf mongoose water dependent?
No,, but. they drink when they can
When are dwarf mongoose most active?
Diurnal
Schedule subject to. weather conditions
Name 3 predators of dwarf. mongoose
birds. of prey
snakes
slender. mongoose
Name 3 Antipredator behaviors seen in dwarf mongoose
flight to refuge holes
threat. displays
defense of young
what habitat will you find banded mongoose in?
Savanna associated with termite mounds
Likes patches of undergrowth
What habitats do banded mongoose avoid?
Closed woodland and rarely ventures far into short grasses.
Are banded mongoose water dependent?
No.
They can live in waterless regions but will drink sparingly when available.
What do banded mongoose eat (2 main categories)
Invertebrates
Some small vertebrates
Name 7 examples of invertebrate prey banded mongoose eat
Beetles
Crickets
Grasshoppers
Termites
Spiders
Ants
Millipedes
Name 6 examples of vertebrate prey banded mongoose eat?
Mice
Birds
Bird eggs
Snakes
Lizards
Toads
When are banded mongoose most active?
Diurnal
Emerging from den well after sunrise, they forage for 2-3 hours and forage again a half hour before sunset
Where do banded mongoose rest during the heat of the day?
In the deep shade
How many banded mongoosee live together
Up to 35 adults
What does the preferred den site look like for banded mongoose. (4 criteria)
Old termite mounds
With multiple entrances
Situated on slopes
And covered with thickets
How do banded mongoose forage?
They spread out and move in the same direction, hunting individually. They maintain vocal contact.
In banded mongoose, how is prey with stinger or chemical defenses killed such as scorpions and snakes.
Shaken, pawed, then rolled
What 3 Antipredator behaviors are seen in banded mongoose?
High sit and low sit posture with hair sleeked
Alarm call chirping
Mock and real mobbing attack with growling, churring, spitting, and snapping
Name 3 predators of banded mongoose
Servals
Jackals
Martial eagles
What do spotted hyena eat? (3 things)
Mostly vertebrates, especially with hooves
Rarely eats fruits / vegetables
Rarely eats invertebrates
What habitat can you find spotted hyena?
Almost everywhere except rainforest and true desert.
How many hyena hunt together?
Usually 1 but they do coordinate pack hunts to catch trickier prey such as zebra.
How do jackals often steal food from hyenas?
Mated couples move in from both sides of a feeding hyena until it snaps at one of them then the other grabs food and runs.
What is hyenas response to predators / competitors?
Mobbing attacks, used against rival clans and lions when trying to steal or reclaim a kill
What do aardwolf eat?
Specialized insectivore, hunts a particular type of termite
Which specific insect do aardwolf hunt?
Harvester termites
What habitat will you find aardwolves
Open dry country with short grass, particularly areas over-grazed by herbivores
What other insects will aardwolves eat?
3 examples
Ants, moths, and beetles
Besides insects, what 4 foods do aardwolves eat?
Carrion
Mice
Birds
Baby tortoises
When are aardwolves most active?
Nocturnal.
During the winter may leave the den 1.5 hours before dark
How many aardwolves live together?
While they are paired, associations are loose and they forage and sleep alone.
Aardwolves scat smells strongly like what?
Ammonia
What 3 Antipredator behaviors are seen in aardwolves?
Threat display with suprisingly deep growls, barks, and roars.
Enlarges their silhouette up to 74%
Cubs make clicking sounds.
Where are African wild cats most common?
Savanna’s, may even live on treeless plains.
When are African wildcats most active?
Strictly Nocturnal
Occasionally seen sunning outside burrow.
What habitats will you find serval in?
Marshland, edges of gallery forest, montane grassland, and forest glades often near water.
Tall grassland
What do servals eat?
Small vertebrates
Name 8 specific examples of serval prey
Rats
Mice
Birds
Snakes
Lizards
Frogs
Fish
Insects
What prey do servals eat most often?
Rats, mice and other rodents
Name 3 examples of servals’ larger prey
Flamingos
Storks
Young of medium sized antelope
When are servals most active?
Diurnal
Especially early and late. They do have night-time activity though.
When are servals night time activity peaks?
Before midnight and 4-5 am
How do servals catch prey?
They leap high in the air and come down with both front feet on quarry
Name 2 known predators of servals
Hyena
Wild dogs
How do servals react when they see hyenas or other predators ( 2 methods )
They duck deep into tall grass and wait for the threat to pass.
If seen, they run in leaps and bounds with sudden serves and tail high.
What kind of habitat will you find caracal in?
Prefers arid bush. Inhabits plains, rocky hill mountains, only enters open grassland at night.
Needs woody vegetation for cover
What habitat do caracal avoid?
Dense evergreen forest
Name 16 examples of caracal prey
Kudu calves
Adult impala
Sheep
Ostrich
Reedbuck
Mountain reedbuck
Hyraxes (Dassies)
Springbok
Steenbok
Gray duiker
Jackals
Monkeys
Mongooses
Springhares
Small rodents
Birds
When are caracals most active?
Primarily nocturnal,
but also active in the day and twilight.
How many caracal live together?
Solitary
How do caracal kill prey?
Strangulation
What do caracals do with their kills?
Cover them with leaves and grass or caches them in trees.
What habitat do you find leopard in?
Lowland rainforest, deserts, mountains.
What do leopards eat?
Every form of protein from beetles to antelopes to humans.
When are leopards most active?
Primarily nocturnal
But active at dusk and a couple of hours after dawn.
How long will a leopard use the same resting place?
Rarely 2 nights in a row.
How do leopards catch prey?
Stalking and pounding when close
How close do leopards get to their prey before they pounce
15-60 feet
Name 3 examples of prey leopards kill.
Tsessebe
Subadult wildebeest
Impala
What habitat can you find lion?
Anywhere except desert and rainforests
Primarily savanna and plains ecosystems. Can be found in miombo woodland.
Name 5 examples of common lion prey
Impala
Wildebeest
Zebra
Buffalo
Giraffes
What 2 scavenging methods are used by lions.
Respond to hyena rallying cries as readily as hyenas do
Follow circling vultures.
When are lions most active?
Late afternoon / early evening.
But they will become active any time they see an easy opportunity to hunt.
How many lions typically live together in Kruger National Park?
13
How many male lions live together in cooperative bachelor coalitions?
Almost never more than 4
How close does a lion need to be before they charge their prey?
Within 100 feet unless the prey is turned away so they can start before their prey sees them.
How do lions catch their prey?
They rely on stalking and running (while the animal is turned) 88% of the time. Rarely relies on ambush methods.
What are lions success rates for hunting solitary and in groups
Solitary: 17-19% success rate
Groups: 30% success rate
What affect does wind direction have on lions’ hunting?
None
They approach regardless of wind direction, even though hunts approached from downwind are 3x more successful.
How do lions approach killing prey the size of impala or reedbuck
With a slap on the haunches, tripped or clutched with both paws and dragged down then killed with a strangulation bite.
How do lions approach killing larger prey ?
Comes in at an oblique angle, rears and throws 1 paw over the shoulder or rump and uses its full weight and strength to pull prey backwards or sideways and then lunges for the throat or nose and proceeds with strangulation bite.
How long do lions stay with their kills?
Until the meat is gone or until hyenas run them off.
Name 3 dominance / threat display behaviors seen in lions
Strutting
Head-low threat
Accompanying vocaliztions
Which predator is most likely to kill lions both very young and old?
Hyenas
Where can you find African wildcats?
Almost everywhere rats are plentiful including outskirts of villages and in towns, even live in treeless grassland.
What do African wild cats eat? (7 examples)
Same as housecats:
-mice
-rodents
-small birds
-springhare
-lizards
-snakes
-frogs
-large insects
What’s the largest prey of African wild cats?
Springhares
Name 5 large insects eaten by African wild cats?
Beetles
Grasshoppers
Winged termites
Centipedes
Termites
How many African wildcats live together?
Solitary
When are African wildcats most active?
Nocturnal
How close does a cheetah need to be to it’s prey
Within 1,000 feet, preferably within 150 feet
What habitat will you find cheetah in?
Grassland with bushes and trees scattered for cover, medium-length grass and broken ground.
Miombo woodland zone
What do cheetahs eat most often in Kruger National Park
Impala
Name 5 species cheetah hunt in the miombo woodland zone?
Bush duiker
Reedbuck
Juvenile sable
Juvenile roan
Warthog
Are cheetah water dependent?
Yes
They regularly go up to 4 days without drinking
When are cheetah most active?
Diurnal
they hunt during the day and rest during the hottest hours
How many cheetah live together?
Females are solitary
Males live in coalitions with other litter mates or alone.
How does an actively hunting cheetah behave?
Walks along alertly, utilizes termite mounds and trees with low branches to spot prey.
How do cheetahs get close to their prey in the open without cover?
3 methods
Wait at a vantage point if the prey is walking in that direction.
May approach slowly in the open and chase if they get within 200- 230 feet of the prey before spotted
If all animals are grazing and unsuspecting may rush to get close if they are over 300 feet away.
How do cheetah get close to prey if there is cover available?
5 methods
They stalk as close as possible:
walking semi-crouched with head lowered to shoulder level,
trotting,
freezing mid-stride when prey looks up,
lying crouched,
sitting
How long do cheetah’s stalk for?
Anywhere from a few minutes to an hour
Name 3 things cheetah consider when choosing prey.
Name 2 things cheetah do not consider when choosing prey.
Cheetah consider:
-lone animals separated from the group
-individuals near cover are the most likely to be singled out
-small fawns who leave their hiding places
Cheetahs do not consider:
-individuals in poor condition
-wind direction
If a cheetah fails a hunt, how long do they wait before they try again?
At least 30 minutes
Where do cheetahs eat their food?
They drag it into nearby covere as quickly as they can.
Which predators are likely to steal a cheetah’s kill?
4
Lions
Hyenas
Wild dogs
Leopards
How do cheetahs respond to lions?
They surrender their kills immediately and will often flee at just the sound of a lion.
Name 4 predators that kill cheetahs.
Lions
Leopards
Wild dogs
Eagles (cubs)
What habitats can you find bat-eared fox?
Open grassland, light acacia woodland, overgrazed rangeland.
Prefers short grasses and/or extensive bare ground such as a calcareous soils with underlying hard pan and sandy soils
Name 11 things bat-eared foxes eat
Harvester termites
Beetles
Grasshoppers
Crickets
Scorpions
Rodents
Reptiles
Snakes
Wild fruits
Hunting spiders
Millipedes
Name 4 things bat-eared foxes are most likely to eat late in the rains.
Insects
Wild fruits
Scorpions
Mice
How many bat-eared foxes live together?
2–monogamous pairs and their offspring
When are bat-eared foxes most active?
Primarily nocturnal
But can be seen resting outside during the day.
Where do bat-eared foxes rest during the day
Thickets and dens modified by warthogs, aardvarks, and springhares.
What times do bat-eared foxes leave their resting places to lie in the open?
4:30-5pm
When do bat-eared foxes forage?
Nightfall to midnight and 4am-dawn
How do bat-eared foxes hunt grasshoppers and winged termites
Leaping like acrobats
How do bat-eared foxes hunt lizards, gerbils, and young birds?
With quick dashes
How do bat-eared foxes hunt mince?
Pounce with both feet
How do bat -eared foxes hunt insects?
Move erratically with head moving side to side with ears cocked.
Then they stop and moves ears back and forth moves to where prey is with ears cupped and begins digging a trench.
What predators are bat-eared fox vulnerable to?
All predators down to the size of eagles and jackals, even as adults.
Name 2 Antipredator behavior seen in bat-eared foxes
Speed
Extraordinary dodging ability: can flick tail and change direction without losing speed.
What habitats can you find black-backed jackals
Broad range including more open and arid country, but prefers areas with scattered bush
Name 8 things black-backed jackals eat
Omnivorous
Invertebrates
Rodents
Hares
Concealed young of animals up to their size
Carrion
Lizards
Snakes
Various fruits
How many black-backed jackals live together?
Monogamous pairs and some offspring staying as helpers.
When are black-backed jackals most active?
Mainly nocturnal but often day-active too.
How do black-backed jackals scavenge?
From lions and hyenas they boldly run up to a lil land steal food and run.
How many black backed jackals have been seen around a single lion or hyena kill?
15
How do black backed jackals cache surplus meat
They bury it piece by piece in a dispersed pattern, usually around a landmark
How long do black-backed jackals leave cached meat?
Less than 24 hours
Where are black-backed jackals dens often located?
Termite mounds
What predators are black-backed jackals vulnerable to?
Pups are vulnerable to anything capable of carrying it away. Eagles are the main predators but even natal eyes have managed
Main predators of adults are leopards.
What habitats can you find side-striped jackals
Guinea savanna and miombo woodland zone. Woodland species. Bush and grassland, marshes, montane habitats up to 2,700 meters
What do side-striped jackals eat (3)
Wild fruits
Small mammals
Insects
How many side-striped jackals live together?
Monogamous pairs. Family units up to 6
When are side-striped jackals most active?
Nocturnal
Activity peaks early and late at night but also seen during the day
Where are side-striped jackals’ dens
Termite mounds
Aardvark holes
Hillsides
What habitats will you find wild dogs?
Savanna and arid zones but will wander through dense scrub, woodland, and montane for food
what habitats do wild dogs avoid?
Forest
What are wild dogs most likely to hunt in Kruger NP?
Impalas—87%
Name 6 species wild dog hunts?
Reedbuck
Impala
Hares
Wildebeest calves
Gray duikers
Hartebeest
Do wild dogs eat carrion?
No
Are wild dogs water-dependent?
Somewhat
Drinks regularly but can go long periods without water
Name 1 place wild dogs like to rest on hot days?
Wet spots
How many wild dogs live together in Kruger NP?
10
When are wild dogs most active?
Diurnal
How far do wild dog packs move every day on average?
10 to 40 km
10 km average
6 to 25 miles
6 miles average
What specific times are wild dogs most likely to be hunting?
6-7 am
6-7:30 pm
Slight spike at 9-10 am
What is the wild dogs’ primary hunting strategy?
Endurance
They don’t hide, sneak, or stalk. They simply chase their prey until they stop and then they attack
What effect do wild dogs have on prey?
Repeated disturbance by hunting pack makes prey more flighty
What habitats can you find striped weasel? (5)
Habitats with good grass cover which are not burned off every year such as highlands, moist areas along drainage lines, forest-savanna mosaic, and agricultural land.
What do striped weasels eat?
Strictly carnivorous
Rarely eats anything larger than a rat.
When are striped weasels most active?
Almost entirely nocturnal
Sometimes they are seen early or late near sunrise or sunset
What time do striped weasels usually emerge from their den?
2 hours after sunset
What time do striped weasels return to their dens?
An hour before sunrise
What habitats can you find zorilla
Savanna and arid zones.
Most common on open rangeland where ungulates keep grass short.
What habitats will you not find zorilla in?
Forested areas, savanna with thick cover.
What do zorilla eat?
Pretty much any vertebrate up to the size of a small hare. Devotes most of its foraging time to small insects
Are zorilla water dependent?
No
But they will drink sparingly
How many zorilla live together?
Solitary
When and what times are zorilla most active?
Strictly nocturnal
Rarely seen before 2200 (10 pm) and usually retires before dawn.
How do zorilla hunt insects / invertebrates
Poke nose into dung
Digs
Captures insects when they land.
How does zorilla hunt vertebrates?
Stalks them then grabs with forefeet.
Killing bite to the head or neck.
Name 3 Antipredator behaviors seen in zorilla?
Threat display
Discharging stink glands
Playing dead
What habitat will you not find honey badgers?
Deserts
Rare in lowland rainforest
What habitats can you find honey badgers in?
Tolerates a wide range of conditions from very dry to very wet, sea level, high montane forest, miombo woodland zone.
What do honey badgers eat? 5 examples
Opportunistic Insectivore / Carnivore
Insects
Young mammals
Carrion
Berries
Fruits
How many honey badgers live together?
Thought to live in monogamous pairs
When are honey badgers most active?
In settled areas, almost exclusively nocturnal
In parks and remote areas they are more active during the day.
What habitats can you find clawless otters in?
Small and large streams, ponds, swamps
What habitats are clawless otters frequently absent from? In South Africa?
Large rivers
Parts of the Limpopo River
Name 7 things clawless otters eat?
Crabs
Frogs
Fish
Insects
Snakes
Water birds
Mollusks
When are clawless otters most active?
Day and Night
Most often in the afternoons and nights but sometimes in the morning and heat of the day.
