Latest news with #BBCWildlifeMagazine
Time of India
6 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Meet the wild dog with the highest hunting success rate in the world
When people think of top predators in the wild, lions, leopards, or wolves usually come to mind. These iconic hunters are often seen as the kings and queens of the food chain. But there's another predator, less famous yet exceptionally efficient, that outperforms them all when it comes to successful hunts. Often overshadowed by bigger or more charismatic carnivores, African wild dogs are one of nature's most effective hunters. These wild dogs are well known for their speed, strategy, and teamwork; they have evolved into exceptional predators that have the highest kill success rate among large carnivores. Despite their good hunting abilities, these animals remain one of Africa's most endangered species, struggling to survive in shrinking habitats and against fierce competition from larger carnivores. The apex predator with the most successful kills With their lean frames and oversized ears, African wild dogs may look harmless, but they are among the most lethal hunters in the wild. According to BBC Wildlife Magazine, they have a 'kill rate per chase of more than 85 percent,' which is far higher than the roughly 25% success rate seen in lions. This extraordinary efficiency is mostly due to their coordination and pack dynamics during hunts. A study conducted in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park revealed that pack size significantly affects hunting success. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dolly Parton, 79, Takes off Her Makeup and Leaves Us Without Words The Noodle Box Undo According to the findings, 'the success of a pack... was influenced by the age of the prey and the number of dogs hunting together,' while factors like distance from prey or available cover didn't play much of a role. Solo hunters among wild dogs often brought down smaller prey like Thomson's gazelles. However, it took larger packs to tackle tougher targets. 'Groups of two did not hunt adult wildebeest successfully,' while bigger groups could even kill calves of blue wildebeests. The study also suggested that hunting in groups 'reduced interspecific competition from spotted hyenas… through improved defence of carcasses. ' Despite this efficiency, African wild dogs often lose their hard-earned meals to larger predators. 'They may lose half of their kills… to other carnivores such as hyenas and lions,' BBC Wildlife Magazine reports. Taxonomically, African wild dogs are unique. Though part of the Canidae family, they don't belong to the Canis genus like wolves and domestic dogs. As BBC explains, 'African wild dogs are now considered close to the base of the wolf-like canids,' making them evolutionary outliers. Yet, despite their remarkable hunting skills and social intelligence, African wild dogs are classified as Endangered. Their greatest challenge isn't the lack of prey, but habitat loss, human conflict, and competition from bigger carnivores.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Do you know about these animal and bird species where males and females look radically different?
Courting rituals in the animal kingdom are a far cry from human conventions. For us two-legged beings, females are often perceived as more aesthetically appealing than males, but in the animal world, the reverse tends to be true in most cases. In some species, males and females look so radically different that they could almost be mistaken for separate species altogether. The reason behind this biological wonder lies in a condition known as sexual dimorphism, a condition typically driven by sexual selection, where individuals compete for mates and desirable traits evolve over time. According to BBC Wildlife Magazine, sexual dimorphism refers to the distinct differences in appearance or behaviour between males and females of the same species, manifesting in many fascinating ways—size, coloration, and the presence of secondary sex characteristics like tail feathers, breasts, or antlers. These dimorphic traits typical to males or females aren't directly involved in reproduction, and help animals identify the opposite sex without staring rudely at their nether regions. Here are five unique animal and bird species that exhibit sexual dimorphism: Looking at the differences between males and females, one of the first things you'll notice is that males exhibit a more vibrant colouration on their faces and behinds. Out of all the males, the dominant adult male is usually the brightest red. Mandrill sexes also differ in size. While the average female weighs about 27 pounds, some males can weigh up to 82 pounds. These pinnipeds are named for the males' large proboscises (noses) that elongate during puberty and wind up looking like stunted elephant trunks. This appendage helps them emit incredibly loud roars as they congregate during the mating season, from December to March. The rhythmic clicks they make with their notorious snouts help identify them as individuals. The females lack this nose. The iconic bushy manes of African lions are highly linked to the process of sexual selection, and studies have shown that lionesses are more likely to pick a mate that boasts a dark, thick mane. Lions are the only cats that exhibit sexual dimorphism. Male lions are also larger and sometimes twice as heavy as lionesses. As they reach sexual maturity, male orangutans begin to develop enlarged cheek flaps and throat sacs meant to exhibit their dominance. When there is more than one male within a family, the more dominant male will exhibit more exaggerated cheek flaps. Besides this distinguishing face morphology, male orangutans are generally roughly twice the size of females, and they look even bigger, with hair longer and bushier than that of their female counterparts. While males – peacocks – sport a flamboyant and iridescent 'train' of tail feathers they can open up in a grand display. Females – peahens – are primarily brown, grey, and cream with white bellies. When the males are ready to mate, they'll fan out their feathers and give them a shake before rushing at females. The stunning plumage however comes with a bit of disadvantage, as peahens are more capable of blending in and hiding from predators owing to their understated colour.
