behind the big cat's and bear's, who is the top predator?

[Styx38]

Hey @Pckts 

Remember this source you posted:

*This image is copyright of its original author

Well, I did my research. Guess what?

There are no serious predators in John Nash Nature Reserve

Quote:The most common game in the John Nash Nature Reserve are blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas (Harper)) and impala (Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstein)), although a variety of other species are also found (Table1). Brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea (Thunberg)), black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas (Schreber)) and large populations of Cape Vultures (Gypscoprotheres (Forster)) are also present, 

From same source:  Leopard (Panthera pardus Linneaus) cave caching related to anti-theft behaviour in the John Nash Nature Reserve, South Africa  by Darryl J. de Ruiter and Lee R. Berger

There is no Lion, Tiger or Spotted Hyena, so a leopard can make 300+ kg kills more often.

In Krugersdorp Nature Reserve,  the lions are confined to a certain zone.

Oh and here are some other scientists who agree about the Savanna Leopard ecology:

Quote:In the absence of larger predators P. pardus may prey on slightly larger prey such as greater kudu (Karanth and Sunquist 1995; Stein 2008).

source: Stein AB. , Hayssen V. 2013 Panthera pardus (Carnivora: Felidae). Mamm. Species 45, 30–48. 

Quote: In the absence of tiger, however, leopard consumed larger prey [50,70], indicating prey size of leopard is affected by tiger presence. In Africa, leopard regularly killed larger ungulate species, including adult common eland (Taurotragus oryx) and greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsicerso), in the absence of larger carnivores [1,76], Similarly, cougar was found to expand its dietary niche and prey on larger ungulates in the absence of competing large carnivores [94].

An adaptable but threatened big cat: density, diet and prey selection of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) in eastern Cambodia   (Rostro-García et. al)


Do you see that leopards can make more impressive kills where no serious competitor can usurp the kill, just like the mountain lion in certain cases? The only difference is that cougars are easier to document than leopards, since most leopards are documented in predator-heavy areas. Reply