How do carnivores work?

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We need to discuss this.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by burns.ethan@gmail.com on 2 Feb 2013 at 12:19

• Blocking: #120

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Original comment by burns.ethan@gmail.com on 2 Feb 2013 at 12:19

• Now blocking: #120

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Well, in the real world, there are generally (very generally) two kinds of 
carnivores: Those that hunt alone and those that hunt in packs. Lions are 
particularly interesting, since they have one male for a group of females (and 
babies, but let's not get into reproduction yet [or ever]) and the females do 
most of the hunting.

Original comment by Mcco...@gmail.com on 2 Feb 2013 at 12:23

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Can we come up with something simpler and more concrete to start with?

They move in a random direction for a random amount of time (probably sticking 
to a specific set of terrain types), and if they get close to a herbivore then 
they some attack it?

This brings up another question: how do we deal with death (needs a new issue, 
can be tested by starting with a poor dead animal near the player start 
position---needs a new issue)?  At one point, I suggested giving animals a hit 
point (hp) field, and when hp <= 0 the animal is dead and it draws upside-down. 
 Dead animals have their hp decrease at some constant rate each frame, and when 
hp <= -maxHp, the animal sprite is removed.

Original comment by burns.ethan@gmail.com on 2 Feb 2013 at 12:28

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Maybe instead of random they can pace around some territory (just some radius 
constrained by terrain)?

The death stuff sounds good

Original comment by Mcco...@gmail.com on 2 Feb 2013 at 12:30