Africa's Most Successful Hunters. Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog & Hyena. Which is best & why?

In Africa's untamed wildernesses, there is always a dance of life that never stops - and it is about food. The most skilled and adapted predators prowl the beautiful landscapes looking for their next meal, which is equally trying to live another day.

Among the stars of the show are lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and African wild dogs. While these remarkable predators have evolved great hunting strategies and techniques, so have the animals they want to eat. Survival of the fittest applies equally to both the prey and the hunter.

Whether it is the lion's strength, the cheetah's speed, the teamwork among African wild dogs, the resourcefulness of hyenas or the leopard's stealth, all the predators have the advantage to help them survive in the unforgiving wild. As you will find out, no animal has more advantages than it needs - nature's balance.

In this article, we'll look deeper at which animals are better hunters - based on their success rate, and what strategies they employ to make their hunts result in food.

What is the most successful hunter in Africa?

The African wild dog is the most successful hunter of all African wild animals. This is in contrast to what most people would assume - that it is the lion.

While lions are more popular and often enjoy the spotlight when it comes to African wildlife, the African wild dog (painted dog) has a hunting success rate of 70% to 90% which is about twice better than a lion.

African wild dogs are extremely social animals that cooperate very well during their hunts. Teamwork, pack dynamics and great communication enable them to rise as the true kings of the hunt, even when they don't get much recognition.

Hunting Success rate

The hunting success rate is the likelihood of a predator's hunt resulting in the successful capture and killing of the prey. An animal's hunting success rate is measured based on long-term observation data and is expressed as a percentage.

The hunting success rate is determined by many factors that can either favour or hinder both the predator and the prey. These could be environmental factors, hunting technique, age and strength of prey/predator among many others.

The table below shows the hunting success rate of the top African predators.

 #   Animal   Hunting success rate   Hunting Style 
1  African Wild Dogs   70% to 90%  Pack hunting & pursuit predation 
2  Cheetahs  50%  Pursuit predation
3  Leopards  40% to 50%  Ambush
4  Spotted Hyenas  30% to 50%  Pack hunting & pursuit predation 
5  Lions  30% to 40%  Pack hunting & Ambush
6  Striped Hyenas  20% to 30%  Pack hunting & pursuit predation 

Hunting Styles & Advantages

1. African Wild Dogs (Painted Dogs)

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african wild dog eating

African wild dogs are highly social and hunt cooperatively in packs. Their hunting strategy can be described as endurance running.

These painted dogs have unbelievable stamina and by properly coordinating the hunt, they chance after prey over very long distances until the animals stop out of exhaustion.

African wild dogs have incredible teamwork and communication within the pack which allows them to effectively coordinate their chase and capture. The lean and slender body structure enables them to maintain their speed over extended periods.

2. Cheetahs

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cheetah with prey

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals on earth and rely on their exceptional speed and agility to hunt for food in the wild. Cheetahs have incredible eyesight which they use to spot prey from a distance and stealthily approach the target before starting the rapid chase.

With their lightweight, long legs and non-retractable claws, cheetahs have great traction, manoeuvrability and stopping abilities even during high-speed chases.

Related article: What do cheetahs eat in the wild? Diet & Hunting technique.

3. Leopards

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leopard with prey

Leopards are very solitary animals that are known for their stealth and ambush-hunting techniques. Relying on their excellent camouflage and agility, leopards are able can lose to their prey without being detected, and then launch a surprise attack.

While they are relatively small in overall size, leopards have a muscular build, sharp claws and a strong leap which give the leopards an advantage in capturing and killing prey.

After a successful hunt, leopards often carry their food up a tree to avoid competition from bigger predators such as lions and hyenas which wouldn't mind an easy meal.

Related article: What African leopards eat in the wild. Diet & eating habits.

4. Spotted Hyenas

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spotted hyena

Spotted hyenas have a reputation as the scavengers of the savannah, but this ignores their hunting abilities. They are opportunistic predators that can both hunt and scavenge.

Hyenas like to hunt in groups and often target medium to large herbivores, depending on what can be enough for the entire group. They have incredible stamina and can chase the prey over long distances until it is too tired to outrun them.

Once the spotted hyena has its teeth in the running animal, they have the strength and persistence to hold on until the prey is brought down with the help of others. Their strong bite force is about twice that of a lion and easily crushes the bones of whatever the hyena is eating.

Related article: 17 Interesting facts about hyenas.

5. Lions

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two grown male lions

Most people think of lions when they think about the predators of the African savannahs. The lion's strategy in hunting is based on cooperation - where they surround and ambush their prey.

While they are not the fastest, lions are well known for their strength and powerful jaws which help in overpowering and bringing down even the larger prey like cape buffalo or wildebeest.

Lions are more successful hunting as a group (pride) since they can easily surround the targetted animal - even if it is a larger animal. This would be extremely challenging for a solitary lion.

Related article: What lions eat in the wild. Diet, eating habits & hunting

6. Striped Hyenas

Striped hyenas scavenge most of their food but are still very capable hunters when easy opportunities are not available. Their great sense of smell is useful in locating carrion for scavenging.

Striped hyenas are more solitary than spotted hyenas and often target small to medium-sized animals for hunting. Their jaws are capable of crushing bones, which is helpful in fully utilizing the food they find - whether by scavenging or hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do African predators need to hunt?

The frequency of hunting varies depending on the predator and its dietary needs. Some predators, like lions, may go several days between successful hunts and can survive on a single large kill for a while. Others, such as cheetahs, need to hunt more frequently due to their smaller meals and higher metabolic rates.

 

 

How do environmental factors affect the hunting success of these predators?

Environmental factors such as prey availability, competition with other predators, and habitat conditions can influence the hunting success of these predators. Adaptability and flexibility in hunting strategies allow them to thrive in different environments.

Are there any risks the predators face during hunting?

Yes, hunting comes with many risks and challenges - even for predators. They may encounter prey that is faster, stronger, or more elusive, leading to unsuccessful hunts.

Additionally, predators can get injured during hunts, face competition from other predators, or experience scarcity of prey in certain seasons or habitats. Animals such as the African buffalo are so strong that they can easily trample any predator within a matter of minutes.

How do African predators select their prey?

African predators typically select their prey based on factors such as size, vulnerability, and availability. They often target individuals that are young, old, injured, or separated from a group, as these individuals are usually easier to chase and capture.

How do African predators avoid competition with other predators?

The predators have evolved different hunting strategies and adaptations to minimize competition. They often have distinct hunting territories or prefer different types of prey, reducing direct competition and allowing multiple predator species to coexist in the same ecosystem.

The competition is never fully avoided especially in the savannah where all the above animals thrive and tend to enjoy eating similar animals to a larger extent.

How do these predators contribute to the ecosystem?

These predators play crucial roles in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. By controlling prey populations, they prevent overgrazing and help ensure the overall health and diversity of African wildlife.

Final Thoughts

In the animal kingdom, it is true that survival is for the fittest and nowhere is this more evident than in the African wilderness. Whether it is through cooperation, speed, stealth or sheer stamina, the predators in Africa's savannahs have evolved to master the hunt which is necessary for their survival.

While you might not be able to witness all these animals hunting in a single wildlife safari, you can visit places where they exist and see for yourself how they interact with the natural world around them. And, of course, now you know which of Africa's predators deserves respect whenever the conversation is about hunting.

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