Category Zoology

The jackal is usually recognized as a scavenger but jackals are efficient hunters too.

For instance, the golden jackal preys on smaller mammals such as hares, rodents, and small antelope as well as the young ones of larger antelopes. It also eats snakes, beetles, crickets, spiders, fruits, and berries.

Black backed jackals prey on smaller mammals. They also eat seals. They attack ranches and feed on sheep and goats. Jackals hunt in groups, and rarely hunt alone. A solitary jackal stands a chance of only sixteen per cent success in hunts.

They are good runners and can maintain a speed of twelve to sixteen kilometers per hour for a long time while chasing a prey. A pack of jackals is typically made of an adult pair and yearlings staying with the family as helpers.

The Arctic fox is indeed a tough animal; it can survive the harsh and frigid Arctic temperatures. It has short rounded ears, a short muzzle, and fur-covered soles. This is an adaptation to the freezing cold climate of the Arctic region.

The behaviour of the Arctic fox depends on climate. It lives in burrows. During a blizzard, it tunnels into the snow to create shelter. During summers, it preys on rodents like lemmings. It occasionally feeds on birds as well. During the winters, the Arctic fox also preys on reindeer in addition to rodents and birds. Lemmings however, are their most common prey; a family of foxes can eat dozens of lemmings each day.

Often, it scavenges on carcasses left by larger predators such as wolves and polar bears. It also eats the eggs of many birds. When food is abundant, the Arctic fox buries the surplus as a reserve. This animal is hunted for its fur and this practice has led to a decline in its numbers.

Coyotes belong to the canine family and are smaller than wolves. They are also called prairie wolves at times. They are native to North America.

A keen sense of smell and sharp vision aid coyotes in hunting. They prey on deer, rabbits, hares, rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. The diet of coyotes is not limited to animal meat alone. They eat fruits and vegetables too. They sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, as well as pets. So, ranchers and farmers regard them as destructive pests.

The hunting habits of coyotes are not as organized as that of wolves. They hunt in groups and rely more on the number of members rather than their strength. They require more effort and cooperation to harass and pull down a large prey. Humans pose a great threat to coyote populations.

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Many of us have dogs as pets. Our beloved dogs are the descendants of the grey wolf. Also known as timber wolf, the grey wolf is the largest member of the canine family.

Grey wolves usually live in packs of up to two dozen individuals. A pack of grey wolves include the mother and father wolves, their pups, and several other subordinate or young animals. The parents are known as alpha wolves. A pack typically consists of six to ten wolves.

Grey wolves are designed for a predatory way of life. They have a strong build, large canine teeth and powerful jaws that equip them for hunting. They can run at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour as well. They feed on large hoofed mammals, like elk, deer, moose and caribou. In fact, grey wolves roam around most of the time, in search of large prey, but they do not eat humans.

Grey wolves eat as if there is no tomorrow. A single animal can consume around nine kilograms of meat at a sitting!

Red wolves are carnivores whose diet varies a great deal depending on the available prey. Mostly, they hunt smaller mammals like raccoons, rabbits, rodents and white-tailed deer. They hunt both at dusk and dawn and generally avoid human contact.

Red wolves are social animals and they live in packs. They are strictly territorial in nature and will not hesitate to fight other wolves to maintain their territory. They travel up to 32 kilometers within their territory in search of prey. These wolves communicate using body language, scent marking, and a series of vocalizations including howls, barks and yaps.

The size of a red wolf is somewhere between that of a grey wolf and a coyote. They weigh between 20 and 36 kilograms. Male red wolves weigh more than their female counter-parts; an average male weighs about 27 kilograms while females weigh about 22 kilograms. Red wolves are endangered and their numbers are diminishing.

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Servals and caracals are similar in size, but servals hunt in wetter habitats, whereas caracals stick to the drier areas of Africa and the Middle East. Servals are medium-sized wild cats with a heightened sense of hearing. In fact, their hearing is way better than all other small cats and greatly aids them in hunting.

Servals can pounce on an invisible rat, just by using their sense of sound. Servals use a high leap to strike and kill their prey, preventing its escape. They prey on rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, and insects.

Their robust build, long legs, a short face, long tufted ears, and long canine teeth distinguish caracals from the other cats. They are also known as the ‘African lynx’ or ‘desert lynx’. Apart from their good sense of hearing, their speed and agility make them good hunters; they can hunt an animal thrice their size!

Caracals are nocturnal and it is hard to spot them. They either live alone or in pairs. They have been known to leap up into the air to successfully catch and kill birds.

Picture Credit : Google