Stories with Tag carnivore

• Spotted hyena found in Egypt for the first time in 5k years

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  Posted: 2025-01-31 01:34:37

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  After an absence of roughly 5,000 years, a spotted hyena has been confirmed in Egypt. Researchers identified the animal through camera trap footage captured in Wadi El Gemal National Park, a protected area in the country's Eastern Desert. This rediscovery is significant, as it marks the return of a large carnivore that was once part of Egypt's ancient fauna and suggests potential range expansion for the species. While the hyena's origin—whether it migrated naturally or was accidentally introduced—remains unclear, its presence has sparked both excitement and concern among researchers who are now working to understand the implications for the local ecosystem.

  In a remarkable discovery that reshapes our understanding of historical faunal distributions and underscores the dynamic nature of ecosystems, researchers have documented the presence of a spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta ) in Egypt for the first time in approximately five millennia. This momentous finding, detailed in a publication within the esteemed scientific journal Mammal Review, represents a significant expansion of the known range of this iconic carnivore and prompts a re-evaluation of its historical biogeography.

  The rediscovery occurred within the confines of the Wadi El Gemal National Park, a protected area located in the southeastern portion of Egypt, bordering the Red Sea. This region, characterized by its diverse landscapes encompassing arid deserts, coastal plains, and mountainous terrain, evidently provides suitable habitat for the spotted hyena, despite its long absence from the Egyptian faunal record. The specific details surrounding the observation, including whether the individual was a solitary animal or part of a larger group, remain undisclosed in the provided source material. However, the mere confirmation of its presence carries profound implications.

  The absence of spotted hyenas from Egypt for such an extended period – estimated to be around 5,000 years – raises intriguing questions regarding the factors that contributed to their extirpation. While the precise reasons remain a subject of ongoing investigation, potential contributing elements include anthropogenic pressures such as habitat loss due to expanding human settlements and agriculture, overhunting, and perhaps even climatic shifts that altered the suitability of the region for these apex predators.

  This rediscovery not only adds a significant species back to the Egyptian fauna but also highlights the potential for species recolonization and range expansion under appropriate conservation measures. The presence of the spotted hyena within the protected boundaries of Wadi El Gemal National Park underscores the importance of such protected areas in safeguarding biodiversity and providing refuge for vulnerable species. Further research will undoubtedly be undertaken to determine the size and stability of this newly discovered population, to elucidate the ecological role the hyena plays within this ecosystem, and to inform conservation strategies that ensure the long-term survival of this magnificent carnivore in Egypt. This remarkable event provides a compelling example of the ever-changing dynamics of the natural world and the potential for species recovery in even seemingly improbable circumstances.

  • Spotted Hyena
  • Egypt
  • wildlife
  • Extinct Species
  • Rediscovery
  • Africa
  • Animal Conservation
  • Paleontology
  • Zoology
  • Biodiversity
  • Mammal
  • carnivore
  • Endangered Species
  • Ecosystem
  • North Africa
  • Sahara Desert
  • Wildlife Conservation

  Summary of Comments ( 30 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42883976

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters discuss the implications of a spotted hyena being found in Egypt after a 5,000-year absence. Some express skepticism about the claim, pointing to historical accounts and anecdotal evidence suggesting hyenas may have been present more recently, albeit rarely. Others highlight the challenges of definitively proving local extinction and subsequent re-emergence versus continuous, low-density presence. The difficulty of species identification from skeletal remains, especially differentiating striped and spotted hyenas, is also raised. Finally, commenters discuss potential reasons for the hyena's scarcity, including habitat loss and human persecution.

  The Hacker News post titled "Spotted hyena found in Egypt for the first time in 5k years" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the discovery and its implications.

  Several commenters delve into the specifics of the hyena's identification and the evidence supporting its presence. One commenter points out the importance of distinguishing between striped hyenas, which are currently found in Egypt, and spotted hyenas, which are the subject of the article. They highlight that the article itself clarifies this distinction. Another commenter questions the definitive nature of the "first time in 5k years" claim, emphasizing the difficulty of proving such a negative and suggesting the phrasing could be more cautious, such as "first confirmed sighting." This skepticism is echoed by another user who proposes alternate explanations, like a recent migration or escape from captivity, as possibilities that haven't been definitively ruled out.

  The discussion also expands to the broader ecological context of hyenas in the region. One comment mentions the historical presence of both striped and spotted hyenas in North Africa and the Middle East, providing a historical perspective on their distribution. Building on this historical context, another comment notes the potential implications for the local ecosystem, speculating on the hyena's prey and its interactions with other species.

  There's also a thread discussing the challenges of species identification and the evolving understanding of animal populations. One user highlights the dynamic nature of wildlife populations and the difficulty in establishing definitive timelines for species presence or absence, particularly in regions with limited historical records. This point is further reinforced by another commenter who questions whether the evidence definitively points to a wild spotted hyena, suggesting the possibility of a misidentification or an escaped captive animal.

  Finally, some comments focus on the linguistic aspects of the article and the use of "spotted" versus "striped" to describe different hyena species. One user emphasizes the importance of precise language in scientific reporting to avoid confusion and ensure accurate communication of information.

• Squirrels Caught Hunting and Eating Meat

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  Posted: 2024-12-18 19:11:39

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  While squirrels are typically known for their herbivorous diet of nuts and seeds, recent observations and studies have confirmed that they also consume meat. Documented instances include squirrels preying on small animals like birds, snakes, and insects, sometimes even engaging in cannibalism. This carnivorous behavior, though surprising to some, is not entirely new and is likely driven by nutritional needs, especially protein scarcity during certain times of the year. These findings highlight the adaptable nature of squirrels and their broader role within the ecosystem.

  In a revelation that challenges long-held assumptions about the dietary habits of seemingly innocent, nut-loving squirrels, a recent scientific observation documented in the esteemed publication, Mammalian Biology, unveils a decidedly carnivorous aspect to their behavior. Researchers meticulously chronicled instances of red squirrels, specifically Sciurus vulgaris, engaging in the active pursuit and consumption of animal flesh. While anecdotal evidence and previous studies hinted at opportunistic scavenging of meat, these meticulously documented observations provide concrete evidence of deliberate predation.

  The groundbreaking research, conducted in the Yukon territory of Canada, details multiple incidents of red squirrels strategically hunting and consuming snowshoe hares. These observations were not isolated events but rather a recurring phenomenon observed over an extended period, suggesting a more ingrained behavioral pattern than previously understood. The documented hunting strategy involved the squirrels ambushing significantly larger snowshoe hares, often targeting vulnerable juveniles or individuals weakened by harsh winter conditions. This predatory behavior showcases an unexpected level of calculated aggression and adaptability in these typically herbivorous rodents.

  The scientific community postulates several potential motivations for this carnivorous dietary shift. The prevailing hypothesis suggests that the harsh, resource-scarce environment of the Yukon, particularly during the challenging winter months, compels the squirrels to expand their dietary repertoire to ensure survival. The high nutritional value of meat, specifically the readily available protein and fat, offers a significant energetic advantage over traditional plant-based food sources, allowing the squirrels to better withstand the extreme cold and limited foraging opportunities. This observed dietary flexibility highlights the remarkable adaptability of red squirrels and their capacity to exploit available resources, even those traditionally outside their established ecological niche. This newly acquired understanding of red squirrel dietary habits compels a reevaluation of their role within the complex ecosystem of the Yukon and underscores the dynamic nature of predator-prey relationships in the face of environmental pressures.

  • squirrels
  • hunting
  • meat
  • diet
  • carnivore
  • omnivore
  • behavior
  • wildlife
  • animals
  • nature
  • ecology
  • gizmodo
  • predation
  • rodents
  • mammals
  • animal behavior
  • small mammals
  • urban wildlife
  • natural history
  • scavenging
  • opportunistic feeding
  • meat-eating
  • predatory behavior

  Summary of Comments ( 52 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42453743

  Verbose tl;dr

  Several Hacker News commenters point out that squirrels eating meat isn't novel or surprising. Many share personal anecdotes of observing squirrels consuming meat, including baby birds, roadkill, and even leftover chicken wings. Some highlight that squirrels are rodents, and rodents are opportunistic omnivores, so this behavior is expected. A few commenters criticize Gizmodo's reporting, suggesting the headline is sensationalized and misleading. Others discuss the adaptability of squirrels and their ability to thrive in various environments, with their diet reflecting available resources. Finally, some users humorously compare squirrels' opportunistic eating habits to their own scavenging for leftovers.

  The Hacker News post titled "Squirrels Caught Hunting and Eating Meat" (linking to a Gizmodo article) generated several comments discussing the observation of squirrels consuming meat. Many commenters pointed out that squirrels eating meat is not a new phenomenon, with numerous anecdotes of personal observations. Several people shared stories of squirrels eating baby birds, bird eggs, insects, and even roadkill.

  One compelling thread highlighted the opportunistic nature of squirrels as omnivores. Commenters argued that labeling this behavior as "hunting" might be a mischaracterization. They suggested that squirrels are more likely scavengers, taking advantage of readily available food sources, including carrion or already deceased animals, rather than actively pursuing and killing prey. This distinction led to a discussion about the definition of hunting and whether opportunistic feeding qualifies.

  Another interesting point raised was the role of nutritional needs in driving this behavior. Some commenters speculated that squirrels might turn to meat for specific nutrients, such as protein or calcium, particularly during periods of food scarcity or increased demand, such as pregnancy or lactation.

  Some commenters expressed skepticism about the novelty of the observation reported in the linked article, suggesting that scientists may have overlooked this behavior previously or that it simply wasn't considered noteworthy until recently. Others countered that while anecdotal evidence existed, systematic documentation and study of this behavior in specific squirrel populations might offer valuable scientific insights.

  Finally, a few humorous comments emerged, with users joking about the potential dangers of "meat-eating squirrels" or making light of their own encounters with squirrels exhibiting aggressive or unexpected behavior.