Do any of you four know why Mozart ever became DF of the Starsky?

According to the KMP (I've got another week to go before I get my book), Mozart and Kinks fought for dominance the whole time. There were 4 litters of pups born, but not one baby survived, most likely because when one would give birth, the other one would kill the pups.

Hmm, the book says that Kinkajou took dominance and it did not mention Mozart having ever killed any pups. Plus I can't imagine Mozart killing pups under any circumstances. I'm guessing that if Mozart was the front-runner originally it's probably because it seems that she and Carlos were the real founders of the group, and/or because she got pregnant before Kinkajou did. I'm wondering if KMP mentions the situation as being "unsettled" only to avoid being spoilerish with the show... ?

The books explains that infanticide is usually committed by another pregnant female. And the last female to give birth (and who usually is the one who committed the infanticide on her nieces/nephews) usually has her pups survive. The pregnant females (I think the DF's pups don't usually get killed off though, this seems to be a problem for subordinate females)kill off pups born before theirs into the mob to ensure 1) their pups have a better chance and 2) the other mother is still lactating and can also feed her pups. Seems like there are no hard feelings! From what I recall, Mozart never killed off any other pups, though hers rarely ever survived. Mozart was always my favourite, too soft-hearted for her own good!

That whole Mozart, Carlos, Kinkaju triumph is confusing with the death of Carlos, Mozart by a jackal and Kinkaju from TB.

ailidh, non-pregnant, non-breeding, and even young females can lactate. The babysitters will feed the pups. I'm sure there's a paper at KMP on it. Haven't gotten through all the abstracts, but I would imagine there would be one.

It's pretty amazing that they can do that, but it makes sense ecologically. You are related to the DF, therefore, your genes go forward if her pups survive.

This was posted on the KMP website.

"Starsky (ST) 2006-2007
a

The Starsky group was formed in August 2006 by four evicted Whiskers females and the Lazuli and Young Ones males who had previously abandonned the PQ group. Male dominance was immediately taken by the Lazuli male JD, but none of the females ever established a clear dominance. Of the four litters born into Starsky, none survived the first days. All members were subsequently lost, due to poor foraging conditions, disease and predation. With the predation of the female Mozart, the Starsky group was last seen in April 2007."

*****

It sounds like it's possible they died from lack of food.

Was Mozart taken by a jackal, unrulyone? Dang, that is an image that makes me said. Also... more TB... I hope they get a handle on that disease so it doesn't take more of our kat friends.

Thanks for the invite, but looks like the answers are here.

Just goes to show you what a little digging and a lot of reading will do or is it the other way around?

Way to go everyone!

You make the meerkat "elders" proud!

Everyone has pretty much explained it- Kinkz and Mozat fought over dominance, but it was never established. Poor girls- neither of them even got a chance.

RIP Mozart & Kinkajou! May you have a safe trip over the rainbow bridge!