Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Review Article
  • Published:

The ecology of carnivore social behaviour

Abstract

Diverse selective pressures have contributed to the evolution of the varied social groups of carnivores: the benefits of strength of numbers for defence of kills and territory, and in the hunting and killing of large prey; the ability to intimidate predators and to be vigilant against their approaches; the potential for information transfer and social learning, and a suite of alloparental behaviour patterns. Each of these may operate within the constraints upon group size and home range size set by patterns of resource dispersion. Between and within species, the magnitudes of costs and benefits attendant upon group life vary with circumstances and between individuals

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rasa, O. A. E. Z. Tierpsychol. 43, 337–406 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Gorman, M. L. J. Zool. Lond. 187, 65–73 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Fox, M. W. Behaviour of Wolves, Dogs and Related Canids (Jonathan Cape, London, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ewer, R. F. The Carnivores (Weidenfield & Nicholson, London, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kortlandt, A. Curr. Anthrop. 6, 320–326 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kruuk, H. Spotted Hyaena, a Study of Predation and Social Behaviour (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1972); in Function and Evolution in Behaviour (eds Baerends, G., Beer, C. & Manning, A.) 119–141 (Clarendon, Oxford, 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Rood, J. P. Nature 248, 176 (1974); E. Afr. Wildl. J. 13, 89–110 (1978); Z Tierpsychol. 48, 277–287 (1978).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kruuk, H. J. Zool. Lond. 184, 1–19 (1978); Behavl Ecol. Sociobiol. 4, 75–89 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kruuk, H. & Parish, T. J. Anim. Ecol. 50, 773–788 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Duplaix, N. Terre Vie 34, 496–620 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Macdonald, D. W. in Proc. Worldwide Furbearer Conf. Vol 2 (eds Chapman, J. & Pursely, D.) 918–949 (University of Maryland Press, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Macdonald, D. W. & Apps, P. J. Carnivore Genet. Newsl. 7, 256–269 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dards, J. L. Carnivore Genet. Newsl. 7, 242–255 (1978); thesis, Univ. Southampton (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Charles-Dominique, P., Terre Vie 32, 477–528 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Mills, M. G. L. Carnivore 1, 1–7 (1978); Z. Tierpsychol. 48, 113–141 (1978); J. Zool. Lond. 198, 39–51 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lack, D. Ecological Adaptations to Breeding in Birds (Chapman & Hall, London, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Wynne-Edwards, V. C. Animal Dispersion in Relation to Social Behaviour (Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh, 1962).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Orians, G. H. Am. Nat. 103, 589–603 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Horn, H. S. Ecology 49, 683–692 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Emlen, S. T. & Oring, L. W. Science 197, 215–223 (1977).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bradbury, J. W. & Vehrencamp, S. L. Behavl Ecol. Sociobiol. 1, 383–404 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Clutton Brock, T. J. Nature 250, 539–542 (1974).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. Clutton Brock, T. J. & Harvey, P. H. J. Zool. Lond. 183, 1–39 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hladick, C. M. in Primate Ecology, 324–353 (ed. Glutton Brock, T. H.) (Academic, London, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Jarman, P. J. Behaviour 58, 215–267 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kleiman, D. G. & Eisenberg, J. F. Anim. Behav. 21, 637–659 (1973).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Bertram, B. C. R. E. Afr. Wildl. J. 11, 215–225 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Macdonald, D. W. thesis, Univ. Oxford (1977).

  29. Hersteinsson, P. & Macdonald, D. W. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond. 49, 259–289 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Kruuk, H. & Parish, T. J. Zool. Lond. 196, 31–39 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Clutton Brock, T. & Harvey, P. H. Nature 273, 191–195 (1978).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Macdonald, D. W. Behavl Ecol. Sociobiol. 5, 17–38 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Macdonald, D. W. et al. in A Handbook on Biotelemetry and Radio Tracking (eds Amlaner, C. J. & Macdonald, D. W.) 405–424 (Pergamon, Oxford, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Macdonald, D. W. Z. Tierpsychol. 52, 170–201 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Brown, J. L. Wilson Bull. 70, 160–169 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Macdonald, D. W. Nature 282, 69–71 (1979); in The Red Fox (ed. Zimen, E.) 123–175 (Junk, The Hague, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Davies, N. B. in Behavioural Ecology: an Evolutionary Approach (eds Krebs, J. R. & Davies, N. B.) 317–350 (Blackwell, Oxford, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  38. von Schantz, T. Oikos 37, 63–68 (1981); thesis, Univ. Lund (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Lindstrom, E. in The Red Fox (ed. Zimen, E.) 177–184 (Junk, The Hague, 1980); thesis, Univ. Stockholm (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  40. Storm, G. L. et al. Wildl. Monogr. 49, 1–82 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Packard, J., Packard, J. M. & Mech, L. D. in Biosocial Mechanisms of Population Regulation (eds Cohen, M. N., Malpasse, E. & Klein, H. G.) 135–150 (Yale University Press, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Englund, J. Viltrevy 8, 1–82 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Harrington, F. H., Paquet, P. C., Ryon, J. & Fentress, J. C. in Wolves of the World (eds Harrington, F. H. & Paquet, P. C.) 209–222 (Noyes, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Moehlman, P. D. Nature 277, 382–383 (1979); in Spec. Publ. Am. Soc. Mammal. 7 (eds Eisenberg, J. R. & Kleiman, D. G.) (in the press).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Lomnicki, A. Oikos 35, 185–193 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Bailey, T. N. J. Wildl. Mgmt 38, 438–446 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  47. Erlinge, S. Oikos 25, 308–314 (1974); 28, 32–42 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Magoun, A. Acta. zool. fenn. (in the press).

  49. Hornocker, M. G. & Hash, H. S. Can. J. Zool. 59, 1286–1301 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Powell, R. A. Z. Tierpsychol. 50, 153–165 (1979); The Fisher, 217 (University of Minnesota Press, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  51. Leyhausen, P. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond. 14, 249–263 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Frame, L. H. & Frame, G. W. Nature 263, 227–229 (1976).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  53. Jonsingh, A. J. T. thesis, Indian Inst. Science, Bangalore (1980); J. Zool. Lond. (in the press).

  54. Mech, L. D. The Wolf (Natural History Press, New York, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Bowan, W. D. Can. J. Zool. 59, 639–652 (1981); thesis, Univ. British Columbia (1978).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  56. Wyman, J. Animals 10, 79–83 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  57. Lamprecht, J. Z. Tierpsychol. 45, 260–289 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  58. Nel, J. A. J. Bull. Carnegie Mus. nat. Hist. 6, 132–137 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  59. Gittleman, J. L. thesis, Univ. Sussex (1982).

  60. O'Farrell, T. Acta zool. fenn. (in the press).

  61. van Orsdol, K. thesis, Univ. Cambridge (1981).

  62. Lamprecht, J. Mammal Rev. 11, 169–179 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  63. Eaton, R. L. Carnivore 2, 9–16 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  64. Lamprecht, J. Z. Tierpsychol. 46, 337–343 (1978); Z. Säugetierk. 43, 210–223 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  65. Schaller, G. B. The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator Prey Relations (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  66. Malcolm, J. thesis, Univ. Harvard (1980).

  67. Malcolm, J. & Marten, K. Behavl Ecol. Sociobiol. 10, 1–13 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  68. Frame, L. et al. Z. Tierpsychol. 50, 225–249 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  69. Frame, G. & Frame, L. Swift and Enduring 242 (Dutton, New York, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  70. Andelt, W. F. (cited in ref. 55).

  71. Bekoff, M. & Wells, M. C. Scient. Am. 242, 130–148 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  72. Camenzind, F. J. in Coyotes: Biology, Behaviour and Management (ed. Bekoff, M.) 267–294 (Academic, New York, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  73. Bygott, D., et al. Nature 282, 839–841 (1980).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  74. Sunquist, M., thesis, Univ. Minnesota (1979).

  75. Sargeant, A. B. J. Wildl. Mgmt 36, 225–236 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  76. Kenward, R. E. J. Anim. Ecol. 47, 449–460 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  77. Hamilton, W. D. J. theor. Biol. 7, 1–52 (1964).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Macdonald, D. W. & Moehlman, P. D. in Perspectives in Ethology Vol. 5 (eds Bateson, P. P. G. & Klopfer, P.) 433–466 (Plenum, New York, in the press).

  79. Bertram, B. C. R. in Growing Points in Ethology (eds Bateson, P. P. G. & Hinde, R. A.) 281–301 (Cambrige University Press, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  80. Russell, J. K. thesis, Univ. N. Carolina (1979).

  81. Packer, C. & Pusey, A. E. Nature 296, 740–742 (1982).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  82. Bertram, B. C. R. in Serengeti Ecosystem (eds Norton-Griffiths, M. & Sinclair, A.) 222–248 (Chicago University Press, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  83. Ryon, J. & Fentress, J. C. in Wolves: a Worldwide Perspective of Their Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation (eds Harrington, F. H. & Paquet, P. L.) (Noyes Publications, New Jersey, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  84. Rasa, O. A. E. Z. Tierpsychol. 42, 337–342 (1976); Z. Saugetierknd. 42, 108–112 (1977).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Mills, M. G. L. Behavl Ecol. Sociobiol. 10, 131–136 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  86. van Lawick, H. & van Lawick Goodall, J. The Innocent Killers (Collins, London, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  87. Harrington, F. H. & Mech, L. D. in Anim. Behav. Soc., Fort Collins (1980); in Wolves of the World (eds Harrington, F. H. & Paquet, P. C.) 81–105 (Noyes, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  88. Trivers, R. L. in Sexual Selection and the Descent of Man (ed. Campbell, B. G.) 378 (Heineman, London, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  89. Axelrod, R. & Hamilton, W. D. Science 211, 1390–1396 (1981).

    ADS  MathSciNet  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Mech, L. D. USDA Forest Service Pap. NC-97, 10 (1973).

  91. Cheeseman, C. L. et al. J. appl. Ecol. 18, 795–804 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  92. Messick, J. P. & Hornocker, M. G. Wildl. Monogr. 76, 1–532 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  93. Macdonald, D. W. Proc. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond. 45, 107–139 (1980); in Mammalian Social Odours (eds Brown, R. E. & Macdonald, D. W.) (Oxford University Press, Oxford, in the press).

    Google Scholar 

  94. Bearder, S. W. & Randall, R. M., Carnivore 1, 32–48 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  95. Kruuk, H. & Hewson, R. J. Zool. Lond. 185, 205–212 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  96. Bateson, P. P. G. in Behaviour Development (eds Immelmen, K., Barlow, G., Petrinovich, L. & Main, M.) 1–21 (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  97. Gittleman, J. L. & Harvey, P. H. Behavl Ecol. Sociobiol. 10, 57–63 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  98. Zimen, E. Z. Tierpsychol. 40, 300–341 (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Macdonald, D. The ecology of carnivore social behaviour. Nature 301, 379–384 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/301379a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/301379a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing