The spotted hyena is found in all of Uganda’s savannah national park, as well as in Mgahinga gorilla national park, but is only seen with great regularity in Queen Elizabeth. Note that the secretive striped hyena (Hyaena hyena) and the insectivorous aardwolf (Proteles cristates) are present but uncommon in Kidepo National Park and environs.
In fact, studies have shown that hyenas Kills 66-90% of what they eat and are extremely versatile and successful hunters. As cursorial hunters, hyenas run down their prey to exhaustion, cruising at speeds of 37 mph (60 kph) for several miles. Spotted hyenas can bring down prey many times their size.
Although hyenas fear lions in general, they are much more afraid of Male lions than lionesses. They will usually be bold enough to challenge a lioness if they outnumber her just 4 or 5 to 1… But with a male lion, even 20 hyenas to 1 lion is often not enough for them to confidently take him on.
As in cercopithecine primates, spotted hyenas use multiple sensory modalities to recognize their kin and other conspecifics as individuals, they recognize third-party kin and rank relationships among their clan mates, and they use this knowledge adaptively during social decision making.
Rather than resting in dens, adult spotted hyenas sleep in holes or shallow pools or under bushes or even scrubs during the hot of the days, anywhere they can find shade during the heat of the day. Hyenas use watering holes as places to cool off or to hide extra food.
The hyena has been vilified by humans since ancient times. Seen as wicked, cowardly and ugly creatures, hyenas are very misunderstood. They are more than mere scavengers. They possess fascinating characteristics and behaviors that contribute to the intricate balance of the natural world.
In this article, we’ll reveal some fun facts about hyenas that may change your mind about these intelligent, family oriented animals.
Hyenas are not cats or dogs, Hyenas are often mistakenly categorized as either dogs or cats, but they actually belong to their own family, Hyaenidae. This confusion arises because hyenas share characteristics with both cats and dogs.
The order Carnivora includes animals like cats, dogs, bears, and others. While hyenas resemble dogs in some aspects of their behavior and appearance, genetically and taxonomically, they are closer to cats in terms of evolutionary relationships. They share a more recent common ancestor with the feliforms than with the caniforms.
There are four hyena species, Hyenas belong to the Hyaenidae family, which consists of four distinct species: the spotted hyena, brown hyena, striped hyena, and aardwolf. Each Hyena species possesses unique characteristics and habitats and are found in different regions across Africa and parts of Asia, in Uganda’s national parks is mostly having spotted hyena in national park and in Kidepo valley national park.Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth
In Uganda the spotted hyena is the most common species. It is recognized for its spotted coat, powerful build, and robust jaw structure.
Hyenas live in clans, Hyenas display complex social behaviors and live in structured groups known as clans. Among these clans, spotted hyenas exhibit particularly intriguing behavior. They exist in matriarchal societies, where females hold dominant roles in the clan and all females has more power than males in the clan either young or infants. The ranking order is typically determined by the matriarch, who oversees hunting and breeding activities within the clan.
Hyenas give birth to cubs in communal dens, and the cubs are cared for collectively by the clan. Hyena cubs develop rapidly.
They don’t “laugh” for fun, Hyenas communicate through a wide range of vocalizations. One of the most distinctive sounds associated with hyenas is their unique laughing call, often misunderstood as a sign of amusement. In reality, this vocalization serves as a means of communication among clan members. Most of the time, a hyena’s laugh is in response to agitation or attack.
Hyenas also communicate through scent marking, utilizing glands to leave olfactory cues. These scent marks define territories, convey social information, and help establish the identity of the group.
Hyenas are Capable Hunters, Often misconceived as scavengers, hyenas are skilled predators and proficient hunters. Spotted hyenas, for instance, are known for their prowess in taking down prey, even animals much larger than themselves. They utilize cooperative hunting techniques, working together as a coordinated pack to outmaneuver and capture prey.
Hyenas play a vital ecological role by serving as nature’s cleanup crew. Their scavenging behaviors help maintain the balance of the ecosystem by reducing the presence of carrion and preventing disease spread. They contribute to the food chain as both predators and scavengers.
Hyenas hunting styles. The hyenas they hunt in their territory, meaning when they are hunting and the prey cross the territory from one clan to another they leave and hunting stopped their thus avoiding to compete with other clans.
Hyenas have very powerful jaws, Equipped with robust jaws and an incredible bite force, hyenas possess exceptional bone-crushing abilities. Their powerful teeth allow them to easily fracture and consume bones, an adaptation that sets them apart from many other carnivores. They can devour virtually the entire carcass, including bones, aiding in efficient nutrient absorption.
Hyenas eat everything, Hyenas are opportunistic feeders, adaptable to different food sources. While they are adept hunters, they also scavenge for food. Their diet encompasses a wide range of options.
Large and Small Mammals: Hyenas often hunt large mammals such as uganda kobs, zebras , and buffaloes. In some regions, they are the most common predators of these animals, either hunting in groups or scavenging remains left by other predators. They also prey on smaller mammals like hares, rodents, and birds.
Carrion and Scavenging: Hyenas are well-known scavengers. They often consume the carcasses of dead animals, which they can find using their keen sense of smell. They are capable of cracking bones, allowing them to extract marrow and consume parts of the carcass that other predators cannot.
Insects and Other Small Organisms: In some instances, especially for the smaller species of hyenas like the aardwolf, their diet may consist largely of insects (like termites) and other small organisms.
Fruits and Vegetables: Though primarily carnivorous, hyenas have been known to eat certain types of fruit and vegetation, especially in times of food scarcity.
Human-derived Waste: In areas close to human habitation, hyenas sometimes scavenge on human garbage or waste, showing their adaptability to various environments and food sources.
Hyenas also have enemies. The primary threats to hyenas in the wild are lions. These two species are often in direct competition for food and territory. Other large predators like leopards and crocodiles also pose risks to hyenas.
Hyenas have exceptional endurance, Hyenas are known for their endurance, especially when it comes to travel and hunting. Their stamina enables them to engage in prolonged chases in the pursuit of prey. Unlike many other predators that rely on speed and surprise, hyenas often use a strategy of endurance hunting. This involves running after their prey over long distances, until the prey becomes exhausted.
The hyena’s remarkable endurance is due to several physiological adaptations. Hyenas have a highly efficient respiratory system, their slow-twitch muscle fibers are made for long-duration activities, and their body structure gives them a loping gait that conserves energy.
Hyenas don’t just live in the savanna, Hyenas are commonly associated with African savannas and grasslands, but they thrive in diverse environments including various habitats across Africa.
Some hyena species, like the brown hyena, are well adapted to more arid environments, including semi-desert areas. They are also found in mountainous regions, such as the Ethiopian Highlands. Increasingly, hyenas are being observed in urban areas. They can also be found in woodlands and forests.
The spotted hyenas are sized of 2.5 feet tall, 3.2 to 5.3 feet body, it weighs 65 to 137 kilograms and their life span is 12 to 20 years.