Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-7nlkj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-28T12:33:09.041Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Bigger They Are…

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Malcolm Coe
Malcolm Coe
Affiliation:
Dr Malcolm Coe, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Large body size is dangerous. The Pleistocene megafauna disappeared, it is now believed, at the hands of man. Large body size may help elephants and giant tortoises to avoid predators and to cover large areas in search of food. But this size also means that, because they must feed continuously, they need a large area of land to sustain them, and that the long gestation time and dependence of the young on their parents reduce population turnover. Only a very low harvest can be taken of such animals. The African elephant, if it is left to the mercies of poachers with automatic weapons, must become extinct.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , February 1982 , pp. 225 - 228
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1982

References

1.Borner, M. 1981. Black rhino disaster in Tanzania. Oryx 16,1, 59–66.Google Scholar
2.Bulpin, T.V. 1958. Islands in a forgotten sea. H. Timmins, Cape Town. 436 pp.Google Scholar
3.Campbell, D.G. 1978. The Ephemeral Island. Macmillan. 151 pp.Google Scholar
4.Coe, M. 1980. African mammals and savanna habitats. International Symposium on “Habitats and their influences on wildlife.” The Endangered Wildlife Trust, pp 83–109 (Mimeographed).Google Scholar
5.Coe, M. 1981. Body size and extinction of the Pleistocene Megafauna Palaeoecology of Africa (In Press)Google Scholar
6.Edroma, E.L. 1980. Road to extinction in Uganda. Oryx 15,5, 451–452.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Hanks, J. 1979. A struggle for survival. The Elephant Problem. Country Life.Google Scholar
8.Hillman, K. and Martin, E. 1979. Will poaching exterminate Kenya's rhinos? Oryx 15,2, 131–132.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Kleiber, M. 1961. The Fired Life. John Wiley 454 pp.Google Scholar
10.Laws, R.M., Parker, I.S.C. and Johnstone, R.C.B. 1975. Elephants and their habitats. Oxford376 pp.Google Scholar
11.Malpas, R. 1981. Elephant losses in Uganda – and some gains. Oryx 16,1, 41–44.Google Scholar
12.Martin, P.S. 1966. African and the Pleistocene overkill. Nature 112: 339–342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Martin, P.S. 1967. Prehistoric overkill. In Pleistocene extinctions: The search for a cause. (Ed. P.S., Martin and H.C., Wright) Yale University Press pp 75–120.Google Scholar
14.Western, D. 1979. Size, life history and ecology in Mammals. Afr.J.Ecol. 17: 185–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar