Stotting Impala
Zambia, Africa
African Wild Dogs are very good at hunting medium-sized antelopes, such as the impala, with success rates up to 80%. They hunt by coursing, simply walking up to its prey to initiate chase. Hunts can cover long distances, at speeds up to 41 mph (66 km/h). Several adaptations allow these dogs to chase prey for long distances and at speed. They are comparatively lean and tall, possess graceful skeletons, and the loss of the first digit on their forefeet increases their stride and speed.
But for its part the impala is no easy prey. The Impala's slight build veils the fact that it is one of fastest animals on the planet, reaching speeds in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h). From a standing start, antelopes are capable of leaping higher than 10 ft (3 m) in the air, and can bound across distances of up to 32 ft (10 m) when in full flight.
Stotting (also called pronking or pronging) is a defense strategy to avoid being signaled out as prey. The impala will spring high into the air, lifting all four feet off the ground showcasing its fitness. This has been termed an ‘honest signal’ to predators, in that the stotting animal would be difficult to catch, so the predator should not bother to chase them. In biology, these honest signals are actions intended to change the behavior of receiver in ways that benefit the signaler. Although it looks on, perhaps contemplating chase, this signal appears to have worked as this dog did not engage.
This scene unfolded in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and was captured with a slow shutter speed to accentuate the dynamics of the situation. Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.
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