MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: Which is the best figher? The gray wolf, rottweiler, or the spotted hyena?

Date: Thu Oct 14 08:59:47 1999
Posted By: Thomas M. Greiner, Assistant Professor of Anatomy / Physical Anthropology, New York Chiropractic College
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 938885539.Zo
Message:

Who would win in a fight - a gray wolf, a rottweiler dog, or a spotted 
hyena? How about between a lion and a tiger? Or a cougar and a leopard?

It's difficult to answer this, since the results of these types of contests 
would really contain no scientific value. In our society, pitting animals 
against each other just to see them fight is considered to be unnecessary 
cruelty, and it a crime in many areas. Still, I can understand why you are 
curious.

Let's think about this for a second. What do we mean by "win?" Wolves, 
Hyenas and Lions are all pack animals. They are used to working with 
partners. If you put them in a situation where they didn't have friends, 
their first choice would be to run away. If you count "running away" as a 
loss, then the Dog would almost certainly beat the Wolf and the Hyena - 
since the dog would be more likely to stick around if only to impress the 
humans that were watching nearby. 

If you eliminate the option or running away, but allowed the animals to 
work in their natural groups, then I think a wolf pack would beat a group 
of dogs or hyenas any day since wolves are noted for their high levels of 
cooperation. Same with the lion - tiger match, since lions work in groups 
and tigers do not.

If you keep the contest to a strict one-on-one match, then I would bet on 
the bigger wild animal. That means Hyena beats Wolf that beats Dog, Tiger 
beats Lion, and Leopard beats Cougar. 

Remember, that most wild animals are not "dumb" enough to fight for no 
reason. Even if they could beat their opponent, they will avoid the fight 
unless it is absolutely necessary. After all, even the winner can be hurt, 
and an injured wild animal does not survive long. 





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