Abstract
Five methods for studying food habits of large African carnivores are evaluated. Fecal analysis is useful for a basic description of the diet, provided that an adequate sample of scats can be obtained. However, it is impossible to quantify the amount eaten and to determine the proportions of killed versus scavenged food. Tracking spoor in restricted habitats is useful for most species, except the brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea). Opportunistic, and for most species, radio-location observations are biased towards large prey animals, because small animals are eaten quickly, leaving no trace. However, the data can be used to study sex and age selection of adult prey. Direct observations provide accurate measurements of consumption rates, killing frequency, and prey selection, provided they can be carried out without disturbing predator or prey. Mixing data from incompatible techniques must be avoided.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Literature Cited
Bearder, S. K. 1977. Feeding habits of spotted hyaenas in a woodland habitat. East African Wildlife Journal 15: 263–280.
Bertram, B. C. R. 1982. Leopard ecology as studied by radio tracking. Symposium of the Zoological Society of London 49: 341–352.
Bothnia, J. du P., and E. A. N. le Riche. 1984. Aspects of the ecology and behaviour of the leopard Panthera pardus in the Kalahari Desert. Koedoe 27(supplement): 259–279.
Elliott, J. P., I. McTaggart Cowan, and C. S. Holling. 1977. Prey capture by the African lion. Canadian Journal of Zoology 55: 1811–1828.
Eloff, F. C. 1973. Lion predation in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Journal of South African Wildlife Management Association 3: 59–64.
Eloff, F. C. 1984. Food ecology of the Kalahari lion Panthera leo vernayi. Koedoe 27(supplement): 249–258.
Estes, R. D., and J. Goddard. 1967. Prey selection and hunting behavior of the African wild dog. Journal of Wildlife Management 31: 52–70.
FitzGibbon, C. D., and J. H. Fanshawe. 1989. The condition and age of Thomson’s gazelles killed by cheetahs and wild dogs. Journal of Zoology, London 218: 99–107.
Floyd, T. J., L. D. Mech, and P. A. Jordan. 1978. Relating wolf scat content to prey consumed. Journal of Wildlife Management 42: 528–532.
Fuller, T. K., and P. W. Kat. 1990. Movements, activity, and prey relationships of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) near Aitong, southwestern Kenya. African Journal of Ecology 28: 330–350.
Henschel, J. R., and J. D. Skinner. 1990. The diet of the spotted hyaena (Croatia crocuta) in Kruger National Park. African Journal of Ecology 28: 69–82.
Kruuk, H. 1972. The spotted hyena. Chicago University Press, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Kruuk, H. 1976. Feeding and social behaviour of the striped hyaena (Hyaena vulgaris Desmarest). East African Wildlife Journal 14: 91–111.
Kruuk, H., and M. Turner. 1967. Comparative notes on predation by lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog in the Serengeti area, East Africa. Mammalia 31: 1–27.
Labuschagne, W. 1979. ’n Bio-ekologiese en gedragstudie van die jagluiperd Acinonyx jubatus jubatus (Schreber, 1776). Master’s thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Mech, L. D. 1980. The wolf. Natural History Press, New York, New York, USA.
Mills, M. G. L. 1984. Prey selection and feeding habits of the large carnivores in the southern Kalahari. Koedoe 27(supplement): 281–294.
Mills, M. G. L. 1990. Kalahari hyaenas. Unwin Hyman, London, England.
Mills, M. G. L. 1991. Conservation management of large carnivores in Africa. Koedoe 34: 81–90.
Mills, M. G. L., and M. E. J. Mills. 1978. The diet of the brown hyaena Hyaena brunnea in the southern Kalahari. Koedoe 21: 125–149.
Pienaar, U. de V. 1969. Predator-prey relationships amongst the larger mammals of the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 12: 108–176.
Schaller, G. B. 1972. The Serengeti lion. Chicago University Press, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Smith, R. M. 1977. Movement patterns and feeding behaviour of leopard in the Rhodes Matopos National Park, Rhodesia. Amoldia 8: 1–16.
Smuts, G. L. 1979. Diet of lions and spotted hyaenas assessed from stomach contents. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 9: 19–25.
Stander. P.E. 1991. Foraging dynamics of lions in a semi-arid environment. Canadian Journal of Zoology in press.
Tilson, R., F. von Blotnitz, and J. Henschel. 1980. Prey selection of spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) in the Namib Desert Madoqua 12: 41–49.
Van Orsdol, K. G. 1982. Ranges and food habits of lions in Rwenzori National Park, Uganda. Symposium of the Zoological Society of London 49: 325–340.
Van Orsdol, K. G. 1984. Foraging behaviour and hunting success of lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. African Journal of Ecology 22: 79–99.
Van Orsdol, K. G. 1986. Feeding behavior and food intake of lions in Rwenzori National Park, Uganda. Pages 377–388 in S. D. Miller, and D. D. Everett, editors. Cats of the world: biology, conservation and management. National Wildlife Federation, Washington, D. C, USA.
Whyte, I. J. 1985. The present ecological status of the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus Burchell, 1823) in the central district of the Kruger National Park. Master’s thesis. University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Wright, B. S. 1960. Predation on big game in East Africa. Journal of Wildlife Management 24: 1–15.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mills, M.G.L. (1992). A Comparison of Methods Used to Study Food Habits of Large African Carnivores. In: McCullough, D.R., Barrett, R.H. (eds) Wildlife 2001: Populations. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2868-1_85
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2868-1_85
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-85166-876-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2868-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive