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BF!

By killing the cubs the male ensures that the females come into oestrus more quickly than they would if the cubs remained alive. this also promotes synchrony in terms of oestrus among the females so all are receptive to mating at the same time. One of the most important things as BF also mentioned is that by doing this the male ensure that his genes are passed onto the next generation. Remember in biology the two most important things are reproduction and obtaining food in order to reproduce

Thanks odds

Great question!

My predator question is about a certain bird of prey, that ok?

Question: This large raptor has only been recorded nesting in trees twice in the whole of Africa (two known tree nesting sites in Zimbabwe), it traditionally nests on rock faces (kranses). Its primary prey item (according to studies) is the rock hyrax (dassie). They are fairly monogomous and are often seen flying high in the upper wind currents looking for prey in their pairs.

Which raptor am I referring to?

Black Eagle?

ZETTIE



You are IT

Bosnimfie! As always very good to see you around.



Eisch! I shouldn't pop in at the quizzes, but I saw there was movement tonight..



Ok, easy one... If a predator such as a leopard is unable to get rid of porcupine quills (was on Projek Aardwolf tonight ), what will be the consequences?

He will have a prickly personality?

I could likely become infected and the predator will die if it is unable to hunt/eat because of the quill.

Almost like you.


SW, you are on the right track. What happens to the quill(s)?

The quills slowly move deeper and deeper into the flesh. They have microspines which secure the grip and ensure that they slowly penerate the flesh a bit more each hour that they are in the animal. If the quills are in an area on the animal which is difficult to get to, they can end up killing the said animal due to this penetrating movement.

I think

leopards are very philosophical animals, who adopt the "if life hands you a lemon, make lemonade" approach. they take advantage of the new appendages by decorating them with tinsel.

I think

Very creative!

Perfect answer, Bosnimfie. You are IT!





Perhaps, but not the answer I was looking for, LL711.

it was worth a try.

well done fairy. very interesting - i learned something new.

Thanks Zettie and LL711

Ok.... let's see....ummm...

NAME THE PREDATOR:

a) this predator has adopted a strategy of eating its kill very quickly and does not scavenge in an attempt to avoid conflict with other predators.

b) this predator is known as the big cat responsible for the highest number of killings of small cat and dog species

c) this predator scoops the insides out of its prey, moves them aside and then starts feeding on the soft meat on the inside of the hidequarters (2 possible answers here, both would be great if possible)

d) in an area where the vegetation resembles that of Addo Elephant NP's thicket biome, you find a duiker carcass covered in leaves and twigs, which predator is responsible for trying to hide its prey?

e) it was once thought that this predator was stricktly solitary, but camera traps set up at baits to study its behaviour have shown up to 4 animals arriving to feed (this predator has just been reintroduced to Mountain Zebra National Park).

f) this predator has been branded with the name of being mainly a scavenger, but research shows that it is a very skilled hunter and kills over 65% of its own prey.

One word answers will do I will give everyone at least 24 hrs to respond (depending on the participation) before I reveal the answers!

Good luck everyone!

that's a good test - let me try:

a) cheetah
b) leopard
c) lion & ?
d) caracal
e) brown hyena
f) spotted hyena