Survival in the animal kingdom is not a new phenomenon. As such, over time, different species have devised various methods of ensuring they make the most of their time alive. For instance, some hunt in packs. They depend on the power of numbers to coordinate, strategize, and take down prey that would have otherwise been impossible to do alone. From lions to orcas, wolves, and ants, this piece highlights some of the world-famous animals that hunt in packs.
Lions
Widely identified and accepted as the king of the jungle, lions rely on pack hunting for survival. Being the only social big cats, lions live and move in prides of about 30 individuals. Lionesses are the primary hunters. They rely on teamwork, especially when targeting bigger prey like wildebeests, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and young elephants.
In most cases, lionesses prefer to ambush their prey rather than chase after them. Once they make a killing, the food is shared among the pride. However, there is no democracy when dividing the meals; males eat first and take the greater chunks.
Wolves
Native to Eurasia and North America, wolves are the iconic example of pack hunters. They predominantly feed on ungulates like elk, deer, and moose. Studies show that a pack of 15 wolves can take down a vulnerable adult moose.
However, they don’t always hunt in such large numbers. Usually, they move in a pack of 6 to 10 individuals led by an alpha pair. These highly social animals rely on intelligence and cooperation to take down animals that a solitary wolf wouldn’t. To coordinate their efforts, wolves communicate with body language, scent marking, and vocalizations.
Orcas
Also known as killer whales, orcas are the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. Famous for their black-and-white patterned bodies, orcas hunt in packs, contributing to why they are apex predators. They prey on fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals, including seals, dolphins, and other whales. Orcas are sometimes referred to as wolves of the sea because of their hunting habits.
Dwarf and Banded Mongooses
While dwarf and banded mongooses primarily feed on small reptiles, birds, myriapods, and insects, they can also eat ants, earwigs, snails, caterpillars, termites, and crickets. However, unlike other animals that hunt in packs, these mongooses forage in groups, but each member searches for food alone. They only need teamwork when dealing with venomous snakes such as cobras.
Harris’s Hawks
Harris’s hawks represent birds that hunt in packs. While most birds prefer solitary hunting, Harris’s hawks operate similarly to wolves. One bird will flush out a prey, another will corner it, before the third one swoops in for the kill. This is how the birds have historically managed to kill larger prey such as jackrabbits.
Native to the Southwestern U.S. and Central America, Harris’s hawks often hunt in groups of 2-6 individuals.
Chimpanzees
Despite chimpanzees being primarily vegetarians, they sometimes take meat. When they decide to go after prey, chimps mostly hunt in packs to increase their chances of success. This often happens when going after larger prey, such as the red colobus monkeys. Also, male chimpanzees are more likely to hunt in groups than their female counterparts.
Spotted Hyenas
When going after smaller prey, spotted hyenas can afford to solitary hunt. However, when the prey is large, say a zebra or wildebeest, spotted hyenas always hunt in packs. Ordinarily, spotted hyenas are social animals that live in clans of up to 100 individuals. This makes it easier to identify and go after a larger prey. Their diet includes zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, and some birds.
Fun fact: spotted hyenas are sometimes referred to as laughing hyenas.
Wild Dogs
In a list that includes wolves and lions, African wild dogs are surprisingly the most efficient hunters in the animal kingdom. With a success rate of about 80%, these species live and move in groups of between 6 and 20 individuals.
They exhibit excellent coordination skills, which allow them to take down even the most unlikely prey. Adding this to the stamina, speed, and precision that they possess further explains why wild dogs rarely miss their target. Additionally, they share food quickly and equitably among all pack members.
Army Ants
Army ants are among the few invertebrates that hunt in packs. Unlike the other animals described here, army ants move in massive swarms, stretching to hundreds of thousands of individuals. They rely on numbers and force to overwhelm their prey.
Why Do Some Animals Hunt in Packs
Hunting in solitary or in packs comes with advantages and shortcomings. For animals that hunt in packs, benefits include increased chances of hunting success, the ability to take down larger prey, and the younger pack members to learn and gain hunting experience.
Conclusion
Whether an animal hunts in a pack or solitary depends on its social structure. Animals that hunt in packs are highly social and choose to do so to increase their chances of hunting success. Examples of renowned animals that hunt in packs include lions, wolves, orcas, and wild dogs.
