The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey Relations (Wildlife Behavior and Ecology series)

Based on three years of study in the Serengeti National Park, George B. Schaller's The Serengeti Lion describes the vast impact of the lion and other predators on the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle for which the area is famous. The most comprehensive book available on the lion, this classic work includes the author's findings on all aspects of lion behavior, including its social system, population dynamics, hunting behavior, and predation patterns. “If you have only enough time to read one book about field biology, this is the one I recommend.”—Edward O. Wilson, Science “This book conveys not only the fascination of its particular study of lion behavior but the drama and wonder and beauty of the intimate interdependence of all living things.”—Saturday Review “This is an important book, not just for its valuable information on lions, but for its broad, open, and intelligent approach to problems that cut across the fields of behavior, populations, ecology, wildlife management, evolution, anthropology, and comparative biology.”—Richard G. Van Gelder, Bioscience Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 12 I. THE STUDY......Page 16 1. Introduction......Page 18 Physiography......Page 27 Vegetation......Page 29 Seasons......Page 33 General......Page 36 Tagging......Page 39 Food Habits......Page 41 Age Classes......Page 43 II. THE LION......Page 46 The Pride......Page 48 The Pride Area......Page 71 The Nomad......Page 79 Communication......Page 122 The Daily Activity Pattern......Page 158 Group Organization......Page 169 Mating Behavior......Page 176 Relations of Young to Pride......Page 181 Play......Page 194 Population Size......Page 206 Population Composition......Page 210 Reproduction......Page 212 Mortality......Page 222 Population Trend......Page 232 The Prey Population......Page 234 Food Habits......Page 247 Predation in Relation to Sex, Age, and Health of Prey......Page 260 Behavior of Prey......Page 272 Main Environmental Factors Affecting the Hunt......Page 275 Hunting Behavior......Page 279 Hunting Success......Page 290 Hunting Large Prey......Page 298 Relation of Prey Size to Sex of Lion Killing It......Page 301 Killing......Page 302 Behavior at the Kill......Page 306 III. OTHER PREDATORS......Page 320 Distribution and Numbers......Page 322 Movements......Page 323 Population Dynamics......Page 325 Social Structure......Page 326 Predation......Page 329 10. The Cheetah......Page 334 Distribution and Numbers......Page 335 Movements......Page 336 Population Dynamics......Page 337 Social Structure......Page 341 Predation......Page 350 Distribution and Numbers......Page 360 Movements......Page 361 Population Dynamics......Page 362 Social Structure......Page 367 Predation......Page 372 Spotted Hyena......Page 384 Man......Page 386 Jackals......Page 388 Reptiles and Birds......Page 389 IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS......Page 392 Social System......Page 394 Social Structure......Page 398 Communication......Page 404 Land Tenure System......Page 407 Population Dynamics......Page 412 Hominid Behavior......Page 417 14. The Dynamics of Predation......Page 419 Ecological Separation of Predators......Page 421 Antipredator Behavior......Page 426 Sex, Age, and Health of Prey Killed by Predators......Page 430 The Impact of Predation on Prey Populations......Page 435 Conclusion......Page 444 Appendixes......Page 448 Appendix A. Common and scientific names of wild mammals, birds, and reptiles mentioned in the text......Page 450 Appendix B. Tables 1 to 79......Page 453 Appendix C. An estimate of animal numbers and biomass in the Serengeti Park made by Hendrichs (1970)......Page 499 References Cited......Page 500 Index......Page 512 Plates 1 to 43 follow p. 82......Page 98

Based on three years of study in the Serengeti National Park, George B. Schaller’s The Serengeti Lion describes the vast impact of the lion and other predators on the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle for which the area is famous. The most comprehensive book available on the lion, this classic work includes the author’s findings on all aspects of lion behavior, including its social system, population dynamics, hunting behavior, and predation patterns.

“If you have only enough time to read one book about field biology, this is the one I recommend.”—Edward O. Wilson, Science

“This book conveys not only the fascination of its particular study of lion behavior but the drama and wonder and beauty of the intimate interdependence of all living things.”—Saturday Review

“This is an important book, not just for its valuable information on lions, but for its broad, open, and intelligent approach to problems that cut across the fields of behavior, populations, ecology, wildlife management, evolution, anthropology, and comparative biology.”—Richard G. Van Gelder, Bioscience

Field Observations Provide Abundant Data On All Aspects Of Lion Behavior, Including Its Social System, Population Dynamics, Hunting Behavior, Predation Patterns, And Other Factors Which Contribute To An Understanding Of The Lion As A Member Of The Natural Community. The Book Includes Individual Chapters On The Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog, And Others. It Also Includes Much Information On The Lion's Prey Species, Including Distribution, Migration, And Social Organization. These Data Form The Basis Of The Concluding Chapter On The Dynamics Of Predation.-- I. The Study -- 1. Introduction -- 2. The Serengeti Region -- 3. Study Methods -- Ii. The Lion -- 4. Group Structure And Movements -- 5. Behavior Within The Group -- 6. Population Dynamics -- 7. Food Habits -- 8. The Hunt -- Iii. Other Predators -- 9. The Leopard -- 10. The Cheetah -- 11. The Wild Dog -- 12. Other Predators -- Iv. Summary And Conclusions -- 13. Dynamics Of Predator Social Systems -- 14. The Dynamics Of Predation. [by] George B. Schaller ; Drawings By Richard Keane. Publication No. 86 Of The Serengeti Research Institute. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 461-472. Based on three years of study in the Serengeti National Park, George B. Schallers The Serengeti Lion describes the vast impact of the lion and other predators on the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle for which the area is famous. The most comprehensive book available on the lion, this classic work includes the authors findings on all aspects of lion behavior, including its social system, population dynamics, hunting behavior, and predation patterns. If you have only enough time to read one book about field biology, this is the one I recommend.Edward O. Wilson, Science This book conveys not only the fascination of its particular study of lion behavior but the drama and wonder and beauty of the intimate interdependence of all living things. Saturday Review This is an important book, not just for its valuable information on lions, but for its broad, open, and intelligent approach to problems that cut across the fields of behavior, populations, ecology, wildlife management, evolution, anthropology, and comparative biology.Richard G. Van Gelder, Bioscience Field observations provide abundant data on all aspects of lion behavior, including its social system, population dynamics, hunting behavior, predation patterns, and other factors which contribute to an understanding of the lion as a member of the natural community. The book includes individual chapters on the leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and others. It also includes much information on the lion's prey species, including distribution, migration, and social organization. These data form the basis of the concluding chapter on the dynamics of predation.-- From publisher's description Predation has a major influence on the dynamics of animal populations.