Moving in small herds, Pugiodorsus rotate guard duties, with one or two keeping watch while the rest graze low plants. Alertness is their greatest defense, necessitating great stealth on the part of Carvers (and other predators like Foetodon), even at night. Their bladed shoulder spikes, backward facing to protect them from pursuing predators, forces Carvers to take care when making killing bites. A wise hunter makes sure to bite low, aiming for the stomach or neck.