Characteristics of African wild dog natal dens selected under different interspecific predation pressures

摘要: To successfully reproduce, many carnivorous mammals need access to suitable den sites. Den site selection is often based on fitness related criteria like escape from predators, food availability and shelter extreme weather conditions. African wild dogs are cooperative breeders that use a give birth their offspring. They co-exist with lions spotted hyenas, both of which known kill dog pups. Little about by dogs. In this study, we compared vegetation characteristics distribution roads waterholes around sites random sites, in areas high low lion hyena densities. areas, selected closed woodland little visibility, likely reduce detection increase the likelihood when detected, might provide predator density area, seemed spatially avoid predators selecting type habitat relatively further away roads. have energetic costs gestation. Therefore, even predation risk low, they try maximise choosing will optimal protection for offspring, leaving additional options respond higher pressure.