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Caraco, T.; Wolf, L.L.
Ecological determinants of group sizes of foraging lions
1975 American Naturalist (109): 343-352
Lions forage in group sizes that maximize individual fitness. We have tried to show that group size is a response to a hierarchy of ecological factors. Prey size and capture efficiencies determine the range of group sizes that can meet the energetic requirements of individual group members. For small prey the optimum size and the energetically allowable maximum are the same. When large prey are abundantly available, lions apparently often optimise rather than maximize foraging efficiency. The members of larger groups with access to wildebeest or zebra can sustain themselves energetically while enhancing other components of individual fitness. The benefits of sociality may far outweigh maximizing achieved foraging efficiency. Lion social foraging in every case reacts to ecological driving forces.
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