There is a remarkable idea out here called co-operative hunting. The idea is to bring together a group of animals to see if they can become something more; to see if they can work together to take down prey so much larger than themselves and in turn fend off danger with better effect.
A pack of dogs greeting each other. Greetings take place before a hunt, and after having been separated from each other. This strengthens the social bonds.
Co-operative (or pack) hunters are some of the most successful hunters on the planet. And hunting in groups has endless benefits. It usually only happens in environments where food is relatively scarce and it’s near impossible to catch enough food by yourself. Considering this, it allows for prey much larger than the predators to be targeted. With this, the quarry from a successful hunt can be defended from other predators and scavengers and usually, every participating member in a successful hunt gets a guaranteed meal.
The key six elements
Co-operative hunting is almost exclusively seen in social species and there are 6 key elements needed when hunting as a group.
- The group will often hunt together
- Members of the group target the same prey
- Division of labour (meaning that different hunters have different roles)
- The use of signals to coordinate
- Reaction to each other’s movements
- Any prey caught is shared among the pack members
Co-operative hunters at Londolozi
Lions
We cannot delve into the topic of co-operative hunting without mentioning the apex predators of the African bush. These ferocious felines dominate the savanna and they’re the largest cats that hunt co-operatively. Cheetahs also hunt co-operatively, but they’re much less coordinated.
In lion prides the females do most of the hunting, while the bulkier males defend their catches from predators and scavengers.
During the hunt, there are two major roles: the wings and the centres. The wings flank the prey from left to right, keeping them running in the right direction, all while slowly boxing the prey in. The centres chase the prey from behind, intercepting them between the wings. In a pride of seven female lions, the outer wings would’ve overtaken the prey by the end of the hunt, leaving them surrounded by all sides.
Much of their prey is either too fast for a lion to catch in a straight-up sprint – in the case of impala or zebra – or too bulky – in the case of wildebeest – for a single lion to successfully kill and so the pride hunts together.
When the females have done the hard work, the males roll into feast. This may seem unfair but without the much larger males there to defend their kill the prey is often stolen by hyenas.
Wild dog
Africa is home to the majority of co-operative hunters and one of the most effective is the African wild dog. These cooperative hunters roam the African wilderness in groups of up to 20. Using these numbers to their advantage, they can take down prey up to Ten times their size.
The wild dogs’ primary strategy is to get their prey on the run where they are more vulnerable, and they attempt to exhaust the prey.
If the targets stand their ground, it makes it more difficult for the wild dog’s strategy to work and they will likely move on after about 5 minutes in search of some other prey. These pack hunters can chase their prey at a speed of between 60km/h and 70km/h for as far as 5km.
The dogs have several lines of pursuit, so if the prey veers off course in an attempt to outmanoeuvre their pursuers there’s always a dog ready to intercept.
Wild dogs primarily hunt impalas, but they get the most out of their hunt when they hunt something bigger like a wildebeest.
Community nest spiders
Of all the creatures that you would expect to hunt co-operatively, spiders are probably at the very bottom of the list. There are, however, several species of social spiders, and at Londolozi, we see the community nest spiders.
Community nest spiders are the only truly social spiders in South Africa. They live in communities, co-operating in prey capture and brood care. The nest – consisting of strong, hard, cardboard-like silk – starts off small but is enlarged as the colony grows. The several thousand spiders work together to build and repair their webs. But they also work together to catch, subdue, and eat prey.
When something falls into the community nest web, the spiders coordinate their movements, working as a pack to capture prey that can be several hundred times the size of one individual spider.
Co-operative hunting is seen in every facet of the environment, from the Lowveld to the oceans, to the skies. By hunting co-operatively, these animals can utilise complex traps and strategies that are more efficient than solo hunting tactics. Hence its evolution and success over time.
Watching a pack of wild dogs hunting reminds me of a slightly disorganized cavalry charge. They surround the prey and engage it. Much commotion!
Hi Robyn, are the community spiders poisonous. Spiders give me the creeps. It makes sense that hunting in a group is very successful and can feed the group. The wild dogs seem to make their prey exhausted by running and chasing them till the prey can’t anymore. Beautiful foto’s
Robyn, the community spiders a a fascinating species, thanks for bringing them to my attention.
I have always loved watching lions hunt in the wild. It reminds of an American football team who strategizes prior to a game. My question is how does each individual know what their position is (wing vs centre)? DO they always assume the same position?
I wonder how cooperative hunters decided who plays which position each time? Once a wing always a wing, or do they change roles? I had no idea there were communal, cooperative spiers – so terrifying, and fascinating at the same time.
Interesting article, Robyn. It’s always great to watch the maneuvers of packs of dogs or prides of lions. Though I am also glad when the hunted animal escapes.
You gave a great laid out presentation about Co-operative Hunting Robyn! More so, the pictures the lions hunting together depicting their efforts are perfect. – The picture of two lioness being noticed by you (or the photographer) is comical! They’re just so tame and animated upon the moment! (..over grown kitties!)
And the first picture of the pride of lioness, which pride is it? They look so much like the Tsalala, but the pac is too big upon the existence of Tsalala’s, so I’m going to take a guess on the Ximhungwes pride? The two show so much affection! It’s precious!
The overall portfolio of pictures that go with the story are so vivid in color, that it makes your presentation full understandable.
Fascinating explanation of Cooperative hunting in these cases of lions, dogs and spiders. I’ve observed hunting and subsequent captures by the wild dogs and lions but knew nothing about the social spiders. Where are these creepy crawlers usually found? Also, do animal behavior specialists believe the lions are assigned a position by the senior lioness or do they choose a position they believe will work for the pride? Thank you!
A successful lion or wild dog hunt is an experience like none other…..one of the most magical moments in the African bush!
Robyn: Can you give an example of what might “fall” into the spider’s trap? I can’t imagine a more unpleasant death! Spiders are so creepy to me, that my sympathies are for the prey!