Concept in Definition ABC

Some species of wild animals move and organize in groups, which are known by the term herd. Groups of animals form a community for three main reasons: being united they defend themselves better against the threat of possible predators, their union allows them to optimize the search for food and by forming a group they are more effective in attack strategies.

Among the animals that live in herds we can highlight the following: elephants, lions, ants or wolves. They all form a certain social structure and establish a teamwork.

Today the number of wild herds has dropped significantly across the planet, as the farming extensive, the hunting Poaching and clearing of forests has been reducing the living space of many species of animals.

The last herd of bison inhabits Yellowstone Park

There are about 5,000 bison in the Yellowstone Nature Reserve, divided into various herds. Their behavior is very different from that of bison that have been domesticated. These animals were on the verge of being exterminated at the end of the 19th century, when commercial and sport hunting and some epidemics drastically reduced the

population until practically its definitive extinction.

The social structure of wolf packs

The wolves that form a group have a hierarchical organization and some "laws" that must be followed by all its members. The Leader it is usually the wolf who has been victorious in a fight. If the food is abundant, the members of the pack are united and no conflict among them. However, when food is scarce the wolves fight each other to decide who can feed first.

Groups of wolves are placed in row and are distributed as follows. The first of the herd are the old or sick animals that set the rhythm of the group, otherwise they would lose contact with the other members (if they were attacked by other animals or humans, old or sick wolves would be the first to be slaughtered and in this way the females and the puppies). At a next level come the strongest wolves and they are the first to react to a surprise attack.

In the center of the group are the puppies and pregnant females.

In the rear part some strong wolves are distributed with the intention of defending the group in the event that it was attacked from the rear.

The alpha male stands at the end of the pack and in this way controls all the movements of the group.

Photo: Fotolia - BRGFX

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