Unknown Killer

[OhZark Biddies]

The only animal that hunts for 'sport' are humans.
Many animals will kill as many as possible when the opportunity arises,
then cache the carcasses to eat for days.

Domestic dogs and cats can blur that hard line you’ve drawn here.... but I agree in general with what you’ve stated, but with a couple of caveats...

Killing extras for caching is termed “surplus killing”... when the extras are not cached this is sometimes called “frenzied killing”...

Raccoons for example, are not known for caching extra kills... but are well known for taking more than they can eat...

As I understand it, it’s the panicked flushing and subsequent flailing and bouncing off of wire walls that “flips the switch” in the critter and causes it to keep killing....

It’s likely the same “frenzy switch” getting flipped in a fox and the raccoon... It’s just that after the dust settles, the fox’s instinct to cache extras kicks in, and raccoon just isn’t wired the same...

So while I agree that “Sport killing” or “killing for sport” is a misnomer, it’s really just a general way of saying all the above.

 

[aart]

So while I agree that “Sport killing” or “killing for sport” is a misnomer, it’s really just a general way of saying all the above.

Ehhh, nah...Sport killing is a conscious (human) decision, frenzy killing is an instinct for other animals. Big difference, IMO.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Ehhh, nah...Sport killing is a conscious (human) decision, frenzy killing is an instinct for other animals. Big difference, IMO.

Re-read what I wrote

Did I say they were the same thing? Or did I say it was a way of saying the same thing?

I get that you’re trying to point out that folks that use the term “sport killing” are using a misnomer, and you disagree with doing so.

My point is that folks using the term “sport killing” are using the term to describe the same phenomenon called “surplus” or “frenzy” killing.... and those folks likely aren’t actually commenting on the conscious motives of the critter.

 

[aart]

and those folks likely aren’t actually commenting on the conscious motives of the critter.

They should use the proper terms and everyone will learn something.

 

[roosterhavoc]

They should use the proper terms and everyone will learn something.

I’ve watched squirrels kill bugs before and just let them lay. What is that considered?

 

[OhZark Biddies]

They should use the proper terms and everyone will learn something.

One of the surefire ways to get folks to stop listening/learning is to scold them for making misstatements...

if the goal is to educate then we want to be sure not to adopt a “let me set you straight on that” or “look how smart I am” approach...

I’m not accusing you of that... but in general BYC is pretty “preachy” in these ways

 

[roosterhavoc]

The comment was made about a weasel killing for sport, which is pretty widely accepted without splitting hairs. Meaning weasels will sometimes just kill everything they can. What benefit comes from breaking things down that far?

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I’ve watched squirrels kill bugs before and just let them lay. What is that considered?

I call that ‘Nimis tempus’ ...

Which translates roughly to ‘excess time’, which is what t causes a fella to sit around watching squirrels kill bugs

 

[roosterhavoc]

I call that ‘Nimis tempus’ ...

Which translates roughly to ‘excess time’, which is what t causes a fella to sit around watching squirrels kill bugs

I was bowhunting for sport but apparently I was set up in the wrong spot. Also the squirrel killed a dragonfly which I’m kind of fond of. He jumped up caught it, bit it in half and hopped away.
If you give me some time I will try and find the scientific name for the exact type of dragonfly that was senselessly murdered on that early September afternoon.

 

[cmom]

My hubby is from New England and I'm a Florida gal we say and do things differently. Good luck and have fun...