Big Cat Behaviour

[NoPolys]

Interesting video of a lioness in a zoo and a toddler.....

http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/worl ... o-eat-baby

Note the lioness is only interested in the smallest easiest food.

Cheers
Nopolys

[PAF]

Well you cant be sure of that

It was ONLY the baby infront of the lion and who knows what the lions do if groups are infront of them or if it was an adult or a baby side by side

Either way they dont really care because its just food for them and anything will do

[Mike Williams]

Note the lioness is only interested in the smallest easiest food.

Yep..your spot on John..
In your example the animal is not reacting to anyone at middle distance like the father and the camera operator.
So ..parsimony would suggest..the animal is possibly interested because of the small size of the "meal" in front of it..
We could argue about different variables etc..but..unless the cat could talk..none of us will ever know anyway for sure..
And...I have seen a puma doing exactly that sort of thing at a private collection.
And all these animals are well fed..so..its probably inate..
The puma kept stepping around around inside the enclosure trying to see a child with us..we kept trying to block its view ..it kept stepping..the keeper told us the cats will often do this..totally zone in on children..

[NoPolys]

Mike;

Thanks, your clarification helped. I used to have some hybrids for a breeding program I was in. One of the fascinating features was how a leopard hybrid would be reclusive until a child was around. The amazing feature to me is although it may not "seem" like predatory behaviours, it is so close I wouldn't be able to easily tell the difference in a newly met big (or small) cat.

Also, I turned off the audio track on this clip (I typically do this). I find the comments from the audio often shade the animal activity into an anthropomorphic range..... Just me.... and we know I'm kinda "different"

Mike, expect a call soon, we are headed up into your area soon for a few days of refreshing mountain air...<coff> . I'll shout the hot cuppas!!

Cheers
NoPolys

[horserider]

Sorry for this next image/thought... i know what im about to say is discusting so i apologise in advance but could it be interested in the small child because "baby" mammals might be more appealing to the taste? ie tender flesh

Spot on with what you are saying, i totally am with that idea & just wondering if the tender flesh factor could be adding to the interest??? What do you think?

Also could it be the maturity? ie infant prey isnt developed enough to protect itself/escape?
Does anyone know if they do attack huge young like baby elephants? Because if they do... well ... baby elephants are a huge feed.. but its a baby as far as protecting itself goes isnt it?

Similar scenario with big cats zooming in on defenseless/injured adult prey... easy target = almost guaranteed meal
Thoughts please???

[Darwinist]

Horserider;
Lionprides are known to take down baby- and young elephants.
I know from professional zoo experience, that leopards take a profound (read: gastronomic) interest in dogs.
I think it all comes down to easy prey.
And no, I´ve never fed dogs to leopards.

[horserider]

ahh ok

[AL Pitman]

instinct has pretrained these cats to go for the smaller prey so as to minimise any possible harm to them selves during the process of the hunt and kill . A broken jaw or laceration effected from a fully grown animal could spell death for a big cat in the wilD , I think they are simply capitolising their chances for ongoing survival .



IF YOU DO NOT LOOK YOU WILL NOT SEE !!!! !!!!

[horserider]

ah, hmm good point , of course, less risk of injury to themselves too