Mammalian Sociality

Mammals generally form social groups to gain better protection from or to capture prey more efficiently. Open habitats are especially conducive to group formation because in those habitats social defenses are most effective at deterring predators. Closed habitats are more conducive to solitary living because then concealment is ofen the best defense against predation. Group size is typically limited by competition for resources, and hense it is usually larger when food is clumped or relatively abundant. Social organization often revolves around status relationship, which are frequently based on agonistic interactions.