"Brain size and hunting ability in earliest man". Some non-mammalian theriodonts may have been capable of running relatively long distances due to their limbs having an erect stance as opposed to the sprawling stance of contemporary synapsids and reptiles. Derived theropods may have also had an avian style flow-through lung, allowing for highly efficient oxygen exchange. Non-avian theropod dinosaurs such as derived tyrannosauroids and troodontids display cursorial adaptions which may have allowed for long-distance running. Little evidence exists for endurance hunting in extinct species, though potential candidates include the dire wolf Aenocyon dirus due to its similar body shape to modern grey wolves. ![]() Extinct species Sprawling and erect hip joints - horizontal Several monitor lizard species such as Komodo dragons also utilize venom to ensure the death of their prey. Within Squamata, varanid lizards possess a well developed ventricular septum that completely separates the pulmonary and systemic sides of the circulatory system during systole, this unique heart structure allows varanids to run faster over longer distances than other lizards they also utilize a forked tongue to track injured prey over large distances after a failed ambush. Living crocodilians and carnivorous turtles are specialized ambush predators and rarely if ever chase prey over great distances. No extant members of Archelosauria are known to be long-distance hunters, though various bird species may employ speedy pursuit predation. Persistence predators can hunt prey many times their size. Reptiles Komodo dragon eating a water buffalo. They will occasionally use a similar strategy to canid endurance hunters, though their proportionally shorter legs makes this less effective. Spotted hyenas utilize a variety of hunting techniques depending on their chosen prey. Several breeds of domestic dog have been bred with endurance in mind, such as the malamute, husky and Eskimo dog. Wolves may have been initially domesticated due to their similar hunting techniques to humans. Despite their similar body shape, other canids are opportunistic generalists that can be broadly categorized as pursuit predators. This has the double effect of cooling the animal via the evaporation of saliva while also increasing the amount of oxygen absorbed by the lungs. All three species will inflict bites in order to further weaken the animal over the course of the hunt. Wolves, dingoes, and painted dogs are known for running large prey down over long distances. Other mammals Wolf pack hunting a bull elk ![]() Walking down prey, however, might have preceded and led to "the endurance-running phenotype of the proposed first persistence hunter, Homo erectus". Further while needing 10 to 30% less energy, it takes twice as long. Persistence hunting can be done by walking, but with a 30 to 74% lower rate of success than by running or intermittent running. Homo sapiens have the proportionally longest legs of all known human species, however all members of genus Homo have cursorial adaptions not seen in more arboreal hominids such as chimpanzees and orangutans. Humans are some of the best long distance runners in the animal kingdom some hunter gatherer tribes practice this form of hunting into the modern era. See also: endurance running hypothesis, human evolution, bipedalism, and human body
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