How do gazzelles outrun lions using their zig zag motion?

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
its called an evasive maneuver

dammit that made me think of star trek....(#@)(#!!!!

 

[Hubris]

It's all about action vs. reaction. Takes longer for the lion to react to the gazelles action.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: OulOat
Isn't it just that the gazzelles are trying to cause the lions to slip?

Yea that's it. Basically the lions get up so much speed, that when the gazzelle zigzags, the lion either has to slow down to change directions, or they fall into a tumble.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Physics has little to do with it. Newton doesnt work sometimes, but always in the day to day world. If the gazelle can do it once he can always do it, if physics were the dominate here. The answer is that the lion rarely gets to chase A gazelle, but has to attack a herd. The buggers zoom all over, causing the lion (who BTW will never win a Nobel) to go WTF? By the time the lion adjusts, Mr. Gazelle puts himself beyond the reach of the burst of speed of which the lion is capable. Of course the sick, the young, and old are always around for the predator. Kind of like human society.

 

[Bushwicktrini]

It's all about endurance the lion only has a short time to catch the gazzell before it runs out of energy so if the gazzell canjust stay out of the lions reach then it will live. Over time the gazzell's found out that if it runs in a zig-zag motion it will out run the lion but the lions then came up with the ambush so it all works out.

 

[AgentZap]

Gazelles have adapted for better cornering. While cheeta's are as fast/faster they can't corner as well, but they use their tail as a counterweight to help them with it--oh wait you said lions.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: chiwawa626

Originally posted by: Marshallj
You're thinking into the problem too much. No need to get Newton involved.

This is a physics problem, from a physics book, ive seen the answer before, newton is invloved.

The only physics involved is they are running and momentum. This problem has more to do with reactions and the action potential at the intracellular level.

When the Gazzelle moves or changes direction the Lion must react to the Gazzelle. He does this through a series of nerves which take time to react because of action potentials accross the cellular membrane (time is on the order of milliseconds). Then, finally, a signal is sent to his muscles to adjust for the Gazzelles movement. Straight line any cat is faster. But since the Gazzell is dictating the chase he sometimes survives. Each cut the gazzelle makes the Lion looses milliseconds only to catch-up on the straightline again.

 

[teddymines]

I think any animal faced with a pursuing carnivore would do just about anything to get away, regardless of their knowledge or application of physics principles. Maybe the gazelles found that running in a straight line resulted in the lion catching up, and an occasional turn lost the lion some ground.

 

[Jmmsbnd007]

Quake physics bug

 

[TwinkleToes77]

My name translates to Gazelle

 

[gotsmack]

Why don't the gazells just run in a big assed heard and ram the lions with their horns instead of running away?

 

[Winchester]

Originally posted by: gotsmack
Why don't the gazells just run in a big assed heard and ram the lions with their horns instead of running away?

Which is exactly what dolphins do to sharks. Much smarter animals.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: OulOat
Isn't it just that the gazzelles are trying to cause the lions to slip?

The lion has poor rear differential, and thus can't corner as tight. The gazelle was built for speed and has awesome aerodynamics and treadwear, and can handle cornering at much higher speed.

Try it on a cop sometimes

 

[ATLien247]

Originally posted by: RalphWiggum
Hehe, did this thread remind anyone else of Tecmo Super Bowl? This was how a RB would outrun the entire secondary... For whatever reason, the defense would always have at least equal speed to the offense, so you'd have to zig-zag all the way to the goalline.

But, so my thread is completely pointless, I think the guys got it right about changes in direction and mass.

And that zig-zagging would also trip up the defender for some odd reason... I love that game!

 

[Gooberlx2]

not sure if this has been mentioned (didn't read the whole thread) but a better question would be:

"How do gazelles outrun cheetahs with their zig-zag escape strategy?"

While lions can and do hunt gazelles, they would be more interested in big game, such as the wildebeast or zebras, given the opportunity.

On another note: Everyone should rent or buy the DVD: Africa: The Serengeti narrated by James Earl Jones.

 

[GasX]

Think of a Miata trying to outrun a Corvette in a parking lot. You have to take advantage of your superior turning radius and avoid the straight lines.

 

[gmonet]

First off, a gazelle is much faster than a lion, so they would just be able to outrun the lion in a straight line. Gazelles are the 2nd fastest land animal on the planet. The only animal that is fast enough to catch a gazelle is a cheetah, so the question would be how do gazelles outrun cheetahs using their zig-zag motion. Lions hunt in groups so they would flush prey towards other lions that are ready to ambush the prey.

Welcome to the forums, gmonet!
You have replied to a thread 15 years old. This is what we call a necro-thread. The OP isn't even here anymore and will not see your response. If you want, you can make a new thread to discuss this topic.

Iron Woode
Super Moderator

 

[Red Squirrel]

The zig zag is mostly to confuse the predator. Consider if you are running after someone, if that person is running in a straight line it's easy for you to keep running and catch up but if that person keeps making unexpected moves in different directions it forces you to do the same unexpectedly and you will have a harder time to catch up.

 

[SKORPI0]

15 year old necro!!!

Plus, the lion would easily get tired/exhausted after chasing the gazelle for quite a while. So, the longer the chase, the better chances of it getting away.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

15 year old necro!!!

Which calls for a 40 year old reference.

 

[lxskllr]

The zig zag is mostly to confuse the predator. Consider if you are running after someone, if that person is running in a straight line it's easy for you to keep running and catch up but if that person keeps making unexpected moves in different directions it forces you to do the same unexpectedly and you will have a harder time to catch up.

That's when you pull out the pistol. Oh, and cheetahs never prosper.

 

[PlanetJosh]

Is this a Star Wars vs Star Trek kind of back and forth?

 

[Ichinisan]

Welcome to the forums, gmonet!
You have replied to a thread 15 years old. This is what we call a necro-thread. The OP isn't even here anymore and will not see your response. If you want, you can make a new thread to discuss this topic.

Iron Woode
Super Moderator

I don't know why we care all that much about whether or not the OP is still active. This discussion comes up on Google, and someone felt like adding to it.

My contribution:

 

[brianmanahan]

what did i do before youtube was invented?

 

[GagHalfrunt]

what did i do before youtube was invented?

Possibly something productive. Thank god those days are behind us.