The Animal Versus Thread!

its says they kill or prey coyotes in this article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Lynx

but i cant find a proper source to back it up.

if the lynx is to small i would normally call in something bigger, the clouded leopard. But then it would be too unequal the other way.

I think the smallest cat that could beat a Wolf would be a Snow Leopard. I don't think a Cheetah could do it, they are in fact very ill-fit for any form of fighting, and don't have the main advantage of a cat - fully retractile claws. 

In other words, yes.  Cheetahs are built for one thing: running. 

Have you seen the footage of a mother Thompson Gazelle (smaller than an adult cheetah) turn around and attack the pursuing Cheetah? It's crazy, it keeps charging and before long the Cheetah retreats. In saying that though, Cheetahs aren't all I've made them out to be - they are known to take down prey up to 4 or 5 times their size, independently. It's just that they are at the mercy of most other Savannah predators; Lions, Hyenas, Leopards, African Hunting Dogs and even Jackals. 

No not one on one, but Jackals tend to live in cohesive family groups, of 2 parents and offspring. They are very tenacious and hardy things too! 

leopard is probably the most tactical animal in the cat family, the animal knows when to attack, how to attack, if to attack, hide and etc. 

Originally posted by JUliusAugustus leopard is probably the most tactical animal in the cat family, the animal knows when to attack, how to attack, if to attack, hide and etc.

Interesting remark Julius. I'm not so sure I agree - what does the leopard have over any other cat in the department of ambush (when, how if..etc)?

@ Darius: Hippo would have the upper hand over even a Siberian Tiger. Especially in the water.

Originally posted by Julius Augustus Originally posted by Knights Originally posted by JUliusAugustus leopard is probably the most tactical animal in the cat family, the animal knows when to attack, how to attack, if to attack, hide and etc.  Interesting remark Julius. I'm not so sure I agree - what does the leopard have over any other cat in the department of ambush (when, how if..etc)? @ Knights it surveys the land, the Leopard is a patient cat, it uses all terrains to its fullest, take for example that it is the only big cat that can climb a tree, it uses the the tree as a means of stealth, no other big cat can use this, another reason is that, from all the animals in the African jungle, the great Leopard is the hardest to spot, a Cheetah can be sighted making chase, a Lion hunting deer and etc but the Leopard, it takes time before you can find one, it hides, not like a coward but like a tactical animal. It took me awhile to spot one, it knows that man is its greatest hunter.

I can see where you are coming from. The Leopard is a very patient animal, but in comparison to other cats, there is little difference. Cats, being ambush/stealth predators have to be patient - it is a part of their nature. The Leopard of course is just a fine example of this. What do you mean by 'big cat'? If you are strictly referring to Pantherines, then Jaguars commonly climb trees, and Tigers and Lions are both capable of it. It is definitely true that few cats can equal the climbing skill of the leopard, let alone any other "Big Cats". No other Big Cat hunts by dropping from trees, because each hunts in a unique way. The Lion is a predominantly 'team' hunter, the Cheetah uses speed and agility, and the Tiger uses ambush on a new level combined with raw power.
Just because a Leopard hunts in a more secretive manner doesn't necessarily mean it is more tactical. If any cat is the most 'tactical' in terms of hunting, it would be the lion because of the 'team work' they use. (Note: the extent of collaborative teamwork in a lion hunt is not believed to be as cohesive as once thought). Nonetheless, they still use team tactics, and are thus one of the more successful cat hunters. Team work is a good indication of tactical hunting, and is generally more successful - take the most successful Mammalian predator for example, the African Hunting Dog.
The reason leopards do not intentionally steer clear of humans is not because they have an innate instinct that says humans are superior (though this is the case sometimes, as with other cats), but because of the inherently more secretive and nocturnal habits.

Originally posted by Julius Augustus another example is that during the 50's to 60's, the leopard's numbers dwindled, but now even though pouching is a given, its number have increased because of proper use of terrain, its stealth capabilities and etc. another reasons is that the Leopard, from my experience being in Africa for awhile goes to the source of water, all other animals go to the rivers, there are water stations in reserves, the Leopard goes directly to the water station, amazing I must say, I was astonished to see this, I think they showed this as well in national geographic. The Leopard knows when to run away, Ive seen it run away from a Hyena, a single Hyena knowing that Hyena has back up coming soon, a Lion even alone would have fought the Hyena and be ensnared  into the trap. It reads things to its fullest.

Leopards are undoubtedly very intelligent and adaptable creatures. This is evident by the fact that it the largest ranging cat on earth (other than domestic cats of course). Its ability to be resourceful, along with its more secretive nature, have meant it rarely comes into contact with humans. With only 20,000 or so Lions remaining in Africa, Leopards (as you said) are flourishing, estimated at over 200,000! This success if based on their adaptive and resourceful habits rather than solely their tactical adeptness. So in all honesty, I am pretty much agreeing with you that the Leopard is the most successful Big Cat, just not that it is the most 'tactical'.

That was rather long winded, but this is my passion - that's my excuse

Regards,

- Knights -

here is mine, a hard one to boot

Monkey Eating Eagle versus the bald eagle

knights that is amazing, gotta give you kudos for your research.