STRONGER TOGETHER: OBSERVATION ON CRAB-EATING FOXES (Cerdocyon thous) COOPERATIVELY - SAREM
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Mastozoología Neotropical, 25(2):499-503, Mendoza, 2018 Copyright ©SAREM, 2018
Versión on-line ISSN 1666-0536 http://www.sarem.org.ar
https://doi.org/10.31687/saremMN.18.25.2.0.13 http://www.sbmz.com.br
Nota
STRONGER TOGETHER: OBSERVATION ON CRAB-
EATING FOXES (Cerdocyon thous) COOPERATIVELY
PREYING THEIR POTENTIAL PREDATOR
Marina X. da Silva1, Apolonio N. S. Rodrigues2,
Fernanda C. Azevedo3, 4 and Frederico G. Lemos3, 4
1
Independent scholar, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil. [Correspondence: Marina X. da Silva ]
2
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil.
3
Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado – PCMC, Cumari, GO, Brazil.
4
Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás/Regional Catalão, Catalão, GO, Brasil.
ABSTRACT. We describe the first record of cooperative predation by two crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous)
upon an adult short-tailed boa (Boa constrictor amarali) at a Brazilian Cerrado spot. Although it is known that
C. thous forages in pairs or in small family groups, there has been no report of crab-eating foxes preying coop-
eratively on medium and large-sized preys until now. Our observation sheds light on a poorly-known aspect of
feeding behavior of C. thous that could not be recorded through scat analysis, which is currently main source
of information on carnivores’ feeding ecology.
RESUMO. A união faz a força: observação de cachorros-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) cooperativamente pre-
dando seu potencial predador. Descrevemos o primeiro registro de predação cooperativa por dois cachorros-do-
-mato (Cerdocyon thous) sobre uma jibóia adulta (Boa constrictor amarali) em um ponto do Cerrado brasileiro.
Embora seja conhecido que cachorros-do-mato forrageiem em pares ou pequenos grupos familiares, não existem
até o momento registros de cachorros-do-mato cooperativamente predando presas de médio e grande porte.
Nossa observação lança luz sobre um aspecto pouco conhecido do comportamento alimentar de C. thous que
não poderia ser registrado por análise de fezes, principal fonte atual de informações sobre ecologia alimentar
de carnívoros.
Key words: Boa constrictor, Carnivora, feeding ecology, social behavior, South American canids.
Palavras chave: Boa constrictor, canídeos sulamericanos, Carnivora, comportamento social, ecologia alimentar.
The crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous (Lin- and human-altered areas (Courtenay & Maffei
naeus, 1766), is a nocturnal, medium-sized 2004; Beisiegel et al. 2013). Crab-eating foxes
canid (5-8 kg), with a wide distribution across are opportunistic feeders that consume a variety
South America (Berta 1982; Sillero-Zubiri of fruits, invertebrates, and small vertebrates,
2009). It occurs in a range of habitats, includ- and may shift their diet seasonally (e.g., Facure
ing marshlands, savannahs, scrublands, forests, et al. 2003; Gatti et al. 2006; Pedó et al. 2006;
Recibido 5 abril 2018. Aceptado 12 junio 2018. Editor asociado: M. Weber500 Mastozoología Neotropical, 25(2):499-503, Mendoza, 2018 M. X. da Silva et al.
http://www.sarem.org.ar - http://www.sbmz.com.br
Lemos et al. 2011; Bianchi et al. 2014; Dias et al. 2012). It has a wide distribution ranging
& Bocchiglieri 2015). However, most of the from eastern Bolivia to Brazilian southern states
species feeding ecology is known from scat (Hynková et al. 2009). Previous studies have
analysis, although this method alone does not reported boas ingesting several medium-sized
address all different aspects of feeding behav- mammals (Perry et al. 2002; Ferrari et al. 2004;
ior (Zabala & Zuberogoitia 2003; Klare et al. Quintino & Bicca-Marques 2013), including
2011). Observational studies have much to some medium-sized carnivores such as an adult
contribute to the current knowledge of feeding jaguarundi, Puma yagouaroundi (É. Geoffroy,
and social habits of the crab-eating fox and 1803) (Monroy-Vilchis et al. 2011), dwarf coa-
other carnivores. tis, Nasua nelsoni (Merriam, 1901), Cozumel
Crab-eating foxes are monogamous, with raccoons, Procyon pygmaeus (Merriam, 1901)
moderate and flexible social behavior (Biben (McFadden et al. 2010), kinkajous, Potos flavus
1982). Although commonly seen in pairs or (Schreber, 1774) (Sunyer & Galindo-Uribe
small family groups (Montgomery & Lubin 2015), and also a failed attempt upon a crab-
1978; Brady 1979; Macdonald & Courtenay eating fox (Almiron et al. 2011).
1996; Lemos et al. 2011), they are considered Our opportunistic observation of a pair
solitary hunters and normally each individual of crab-eating foxes attacking and killing an
in a pair captures and consumes its own food adult short-tailed boa was made on September
(Brady 1979), which consist on fruits and small 2006 (Fig. S1). The interaction lasted about
preys (e.g., invertebrates, rodents, and birds). 20 minutes and happened at the end of the
This supports the general rule that relates afternoon (ca.18:30 h), at an anthropized rem-
prey mass to carnivore foraging group size nant of Cerrado, near MS-178 highway (20°58′
(Moehlman 1989). However, crab-eating foxes 10.85″ S /56°31′05.78″ W), at the municipality of
forage close to each other and may tolerate Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The
the presence of conspecifics during ingestion observation was filmed and photographed from
of abundant food items (e.g., when preying on a distance that did not influence the behavior
Squamata and Testudines eggs, or scavenging of the animals. When first sighted, crab-eating
carcasses of large animals; Montgomery & foxes were already attacking the boa. Therefore,
Lubin 1978; Brady 1979; Facure et al. 2003; we do not know details on how the interaction
Courtenay & Maffei 2004; Lemos et al. 2011). started. However, it was possible to observe
Presumably, such tolerance could allow individ- that the short-tailed boa was alive and actively
uals of a group to benefit from shared resources. trying to defend itself, curling up and striking
In this aspect, little is known about predation back against the crab-eating foxes. No signs of
upon large preys by South American canids crab-eating foxes’ den or litter were detected
and the potential role of social interactions in within 100 m of the site of interaction spot.
these events. Recently, Chatellenaz & Guzmán No clues of defensive (parental) behavior (e.g.,
(2015) described a predation event by two Pam- threaten and alert or siren calls) of the types
pas foxes, Lycalopex gymnocercus (G. Fischer, reported for crab-eating foxes (Brady 1979,
1814), on an adult of South American brown 1981; Lemos & Azevedo unpublished data) and
brocket, Mazama gouazoubira (G. Fischer [von other South American canids (Chatellenaz et
Waldheim], 1814), in Argentina, suggesting it as al. 2018) were detected. This apparent lack of
a rare and unusual event for South American parental behavior reinforces the notion that
canid species. Here, we describe the first re- this was a predatory, not defensive behavior.
cord of a cooperative attack by two crab-eating During the whole observation crab-eating
foxes upon a live adult short-tailed boa, Boa foxes acted jointly and cooperatively. Attacks
constrictor amarali (Stull, 1932), reporting its consisted of alternate or simultaneous bites by
consumption by this South American canid. the two crab-eating foxes to the short-tailed
Boa constrictor amarali is a large-bodied boa, followed by several jolts and strong pulls
snake with mean length of 144 cm and mean in opposite directions. The short-tailed boa
weight of 3.5 kg (0.1-6.09 kg, N = 53) (Cutolo constantly wrapped itself in order to protectCRAB-EATING FOXES COOPERATIVELY PREYING THEIR POTENTIAL PREDATOR 501
its head, suggesting a defensive behavior. Joint crab-eating foxes may actually prey on snakes
attacks prevented an effective defense response (Gonzalez et al. 2016), instead of only ingest-
by the boa, making it vulnerable against its ing them through scavenging (Rocha et al.
attackers. After several bites, the boa started 2004). Boas are not only a large prey but also
to show evident apathy and the crab-eating a potential crab-eating fox predator (Almiron
foxes signs of tiredness. Then the crab-eating et al. 2011). Therefore, our record opens the
foxes took turns on the attacking, while the possibility that pairs of crab-eating foxes may
other rested at the side. A lethal neck-bite consume other large preys, including some
killed the snake, which remained stretched, found in scats that are generally considered
belly up, motionless on the ground. With the as carcass intake.
natural daylight gone, it was not possible to Considering the lack of observational records
carry observations on the total ingestion of on feeding behavior for South American canids,
the prey. However, after the death of the boa, our report is an important contribution for the
the female crab-eating fox started growling at current knowledge on the feeding ecology and
the male when the latter approached the snake, hunting strategy for this group. We recommend
displaying a behavior that may indicate a sign the development of natural history studies as-
of dominance and a sort of hierarchy during sociating direct observation to other methods
prey consumption. (e.g., Global Positional System monitoring)
Although C. thous is frequently observed for better understanding social relationships
foraging in pairs but not sharing resources and interspecific interactions that may shape
most of the time (Brady 1979; Lemos & Facure behavioral habits of South American canids.
2011), the two crab-eating foxes displayed
elaborated sociality and an ability to kill a prey Acknowledgments. We are grateful to Dr. Alan N. Costa,
cooperatively. Similar cooperative behavior for Daniel G. Rocha, Dr. Kátia G. F. Giaretta, Mozart C.
Freitas-Junior and an anonymous reviewer for suggestions
subjugating larger prey has been reported for on earlier versions of the manuscript.
bush dogs, Speothos venaticus (Lund, 1842),
a highly social canid that may live and hunt LITERATURE CITED
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Neotropical 18:239-245. methods. Folia Zoologica 52:23-30.CRAB-EATING FOXES COOPERATIVELY PREYING THEIR POTENTIAL PREDATOR 503 SUPPLEMENTARY ONLINE MATERIAL Supplement 1 https://www.sarem.org.ar/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SAREM_MastNeotrop_25-2_Silva-sup1.wmv Fig. S1. Video record of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) cooperatively subjugating an adult of short-tailed boa (Boa constrictor amarali) in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil.
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