Hyena (Spotted Hyena) |
|
Unique Features
Hyenas have the most powerful jaws of all mammals, and strong bone-crushing teeth. They are able to eat all but the largest bones of buffalo and giraffe. Hyaenas often watch vultures to locate a carcase. Also known as the 'laughing hyaena' because of the noise it makes which sounds like maniacal laughter. The hyaena's front legs are longer than it's back legs, its spine slopes downward to reduced hindquarters. Often thought of as cowardly, the hyaena can become extremey dangerous when cornered. Hyenas eat termites, snakes, birds, tortoises, hares, fruit and carrion. Hyena's sometimes vomit balls of hair and undigested bone slivers - which they immediately roll in! Hyenas make a wide range of vocal sounds. They grunt, growl, squeal, whine, giggle, roar and make long drawn out whooo-oop sounds. Predators Adult hyenas are sometimes killed or wounded when trying to snatch meat from lions, although most die of starvation or disease. Cubs may be killed by other hyenas, or by lions. Hyenas display an uncanny ability to prey on sick or vulnerable animals.They will also prey on old, sickly or wounded lions, as well as young cheetahs and leopards. In large packs they may hunt and kill large animals such as wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck and kudu. Family ties Hyenas group together in clans of between 5 - 80 animals. Females belong to the clan for life, but males sometimes join a new clan. Clans are territorial and mark their territory with the scent deposits from their scent glands. Hyenas have two types of scent glands: anal and interdigital (between their toes). Each member of the clan have a rank based on size and fighting between member of the clan is rare. Hyenas live in dens which are underground tunnels. Communication When hyenas from the same clan meet up after a brief separation, they perform a greeting ritual of smelling, licking and grunting. Hunting Hyena hunt a variety of prey but usually prefer medium-sized prey such as impala, wildebeest, gemsbok and zebra. Ten or more hyena form a hunting pack when hunting larger prey such as zebra.They do not have a special killing bite but kill their their prey by eating it, usually starting with the softest part - the stomach. All hyenas scavenge but most scavenging is done by low-ranking member of the clan. They are quick to investigate circling vultures or tag along behind hunting lions or wild dogs. Hyenas and vultures help each other find food. Hyenas scan the skies for circling vultures. and the vultures home in on the sounds of hyenas at a kill. Hyenas often steal a kill from a single lion or small pack of wild dogs. |