The Relationship between Food Competition and Foraging Group Size in some Larger Carnivores

Comparing various East African carnivores, the influence exerted on their foraging group size by inter- and intra-specific competition for kills is discussed. It is hypothesized that such competition promotes large foraging groups in those predators which defend their kills against scavengers, but limits foraging group size in those which seek to reduce competitive pressure by hunting and feeding inconspicuously.