Leopard v baboon
Dec 5th, 2006, 05:03 PM
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Dec 6th, 2006, 04:30 AM
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One very smart leopard, indeed. I'm surprised that the baboons didn't know she was faking. Perhaps they knew, but collectively decided to let it survive and be happy with giving it a good what for.
Interesting, John.
Sherry
Interesting, John.
Sherry
Dec 6th, 2006, 07:08 AM
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What a fascinating scene. For those that ever visit Kwando Lebala, they have photos showing a pack of wild dogs killing a leopard which are quite amazing. Again, the leopard was surrounded but the wild dogs were relentless and continued their attack until they were sure the leopard was dead. Hari you must have seen these photos?
Dec 11th, 2006, 09:49 PM
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Thanks John - it is fantastic!!!
i have a remark to make at the conclusion paragraph
it is a classical example of a looking at it from the WRONG ANGLE
<font color="gray">
"it is also of interest since baboons do not feature high on the list of leopard prey."
..."baboons do not make up an important portion of leopard prey "...
</font>
So what??
Is it relevant to the specific observation?
a Leopard is highly opportunistic has a long prey-list. In this case it had a <u>chance</u> and decided to take it...
the statistical "status" of Baboons on a Leopard's menu is irrelevant.
on the other hand <b> experts consider the Leopard to be the most effective predator of Baboons </b> which explains their behaviour & the risk (vs. chance of gaining ) some individuals are ready to take in confronting it & the general motivation of members of the Baboon society...
BTW some researchers have described males fleeing to save their skin without protecting females and young
Since the predation rate on baboons is rather low , it is an indirect hint that their anti-predator behaviour is the rule & that it works
finally i couldn't find the reference, but i remember a significant predation by leopards on baboons in the Amboseli research (which at the time left me puzzled since i've never seen a leopard
in Amboseli on numerous visits.... at the time, during the 80s it was the best place to see cheetah, rhino and even lions)
i have a remark to make at the conclusion paragraph
it is a classical example of a looking at it from the WRONG ANGLE
<font color="gray">
"it is also of interest since baboons do not feature high on the list of leopard prey."
..."baboons do not make up an important portion of leopard prey "...
</font>
So what??
Is it relevant to the specific observation?
a Leopard is highly opportunistic has a long prey-list. In this case it had a <u>chance</u> and decided to take it...
the statistical "status" of Baboons on a Leopard's menu is irrelevant.
on the other hand <b> experts consider the Leopard to be the most effective predator of Baboons </b> which explains their behaviour & the risk (vs. chance of gaining ) some individuals are ready to take in confronting it & the general motivation of members of the Baboon society...
BTW some researchers have described males fleeing to save their skin without protecting females and young
Since the predation rate on baboons is rather low , it is an indirect hint that their anti-predator behaviour is the rule & that it works
finally i couldn't find the reference, but i remember a significant predation by leopards on baboons in the Amboseli research (which at the time left me puzzled since i've never seen a leopard
in Amboseli on numerous visits.... at the time, during the 80s it was the best place to see cheetah, rhino and even lions)
Dec 11th, 2006, 10:53 PM
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aby,
It would be interesting to see Bill's (Pred's) thoughts on the points you raise.
Whether relevant or not, I found the author's comment in the report of the incident interesting because for some reason, I'd always thought baboons would be high on the leopard's list. Perhaps Richard D. Estes gives a clue in his <i>The Safari Companion</i>. While he lists boldness, stealth, patience and cunning among the leopard's attributes, he also says it seems to have an inferiority complex, is timid and easily unnerved. So I guess it might be easily put off by even just a couple of barking baboons. Or maybe it's just ultra smart, knowing that any injury could be disastrous for a solitary hunter.
That's my inexpert 2c worth
John
It would be interesting to see Bill's (Pred's) thoughts on the points you raise.
Whether relevant or not, I found the author's comment in the report of the incident interesting because for some reason, I'd always thought baboons would be high on the leopard's list. Perhaps Richard D. Estes gives a clue in his <i>The Safari Companion</i>. While he lists boldness, stealth, patience and cunning among the leopard's attributes, he also says it seems to have an inferiority complex, is timid and easily unnerved. So I guess it might be easily put off by even just a couple of barking baboons. Or maybe it's just ultra smart, knowing that any injury could be disastrous for a solitary hunter.
That's my inexpert 2c worth
John
