Final Study Questions Flashcards
What are the three types of canidae hunting and name an example species of each
- Solitary hunters- relatively small canids hunt smaller prey, will also scavenge, may cache food when prey is abundant, solitary except in mating season-pair bond until drives off young before first winter. Ex: arctic fox
- Solitary-social hunters- Hunt small prey alone, larger prey in pairs/family groups, also will eat carrion, fruit/veg, cooperative hunting techniques (ambush, turns, cut off or trick prey). Prey small/scarce- alone, large/scarce- cooperative. Breeding pair usually permanent, young stay through first winter. Ex: coyote
- Social hunters- Hunt cooperatively in packs, can kill prey much larger than themselves, if prey is scarce, pack breaks down and hunts smaller prey individually, cooperative hunting techniques: chase herd, turns leading, ambush, distract prey, group attack, labor division. Hunters regurgitate for non-hunters. Pack-extended family group. Dominance structure. Ex: wolf
Name two adaptations that are different between canidae and felidae and why you think they are different
- Teeth- Canids have grinding molars because they are omnivorous, and felids do not because they are obligate carnivores
- Claws- Cats have retractable claws, except for the cheetah. Dogs do not. Dogs have more cursorial ability and typically run in packs (painted dogs) to chase down prey and bite as a group to bring down the animal. Cats are typically ambush predators (tiger) and they tend to jump on top of their prey and sink into their prey to hold on before they deliver the kill bite to the back of the neck. Hunting styles are different- claws are adapted to that.
Why do foxes have a longer face- not need more bite force?
They generally hunt smaller prey
What makes the painted dog unique in comparison to other animals
4/5 chases end in a kill. Hunting tactic: run among the herd, separate out the weak. Grip onto the tail and the head and take down with multiple bites. Has premolars to grip and crush bone. So social, will share food with the sick and the old. Regurgitate food for pups.
What is a benefit to a cat’s shorter skull
more bite force
Which teeth are the carnassials
Last upper premolar and first lower molar
How are the cheetah, lion, and leopard examples of divergent evolution? (They are three feline species that live in the same habitat yet have different lifestyles/ adapted differently
Cheetahs run to catch prey (solitary hunting style) therefore they have adapted nonretractable claws to support their cursorial lifestyle. Leopards are solitary hunters and have retractable claws and a camouflaged body to ambush prey. Lions are social hunters and have adapted to having their mane as a defense since they get into fights with other male lions
Difference between leopard and jaguar
Leopards- live in Africa/ some parts of Asia. Are the only wild cats to drag their prey into trees.
Jaguars- live across Central/South America. Most aquatic of all seven big cat species.
Why does cooperative hunting occur less in felids than canids?
Canines don’t use their claws to attack, they use them to support their cursorial lifestyle. As a group they chase down prey and use their teeth to kill it. Cats will typically ambush their prey, they are also generally larger or as large as what they are hunting so they don’t need extra help. Also they use their retractable claws to sink into prey and hang on while they deliver a bite to the neck.
Positives and negatives of being a cooperative hunter (3 of each)
Positives: easier to take down larger prey. More opportunities to make a kill before prey escapes. Grows pack bonds such as teamwork, critical thinking, and pack unity.
Negatives: have to share food with others in the pack. The amount you get depends on your social status in the group. Lose element of surprise. May increase in-pack risk of infection, disease, inbreeding, fighting
Define convergent evolution and give two examples
When two different species that don’t have a common ancestor evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. Dolphin and shark environmental pressure- water- both need fins to swim efficiently. Also, both have homodont teeth (because they share similar prey base?)
Also vulture: Old world and new world vultures share a lot of physiological similarities because they occupy similar niches in their respective ecosystems. They have bald heads, highly acid stomachs, wings adapted for soaring, etc. However, old world vultures evolved from raptors whereas new world vultures evolved from storks.
Functions of an elephant trunk
elongation of the snout and upper lip
extremely versatile
contains thousands of muscles
pull up grass or other food
siphon up water
trumpet call
help and guide calves
dig for water
Where is the musth gland on an elephant and what does it indicate
On the head behind the eyes. produces an oily secretion used to mark trees. Gland becomes active for mating. Asian elephants- annually or bi annually starting at 14 years of age. African elephants- year round
What kind of social structure do elephants have
Matriarchy
Compare and contrast the manatee vs the dugong
Manatee- Round paddle-like tail fin. Nostrils at end of muzzle. Longer flippers with three vestigial nails. Larger than dugong (3.6 m max). No incisors or canines. Usually live in family groups. Feed at dusk
Dugong- Tail divided into two lobes or flukes. Nostrils dorsal in position. No nails on flippers. Smaller than manatee (3 m max). No canines, but second incisor is tusk like in males. Mainly solitary. Feed at night, spend the day laying on the bottom.
