The first time I saw a hyena was in The Lion King.
The first time I saw a real hyena was in Tanzania.
The first time I realized that hyenas are smarter, kinder, and cooler than anyone gives them credit for was when I did research about them.
Here's to dispelling myths and raising awareness for this iconic animal; to all the hyenas out there, I love you.
First things first: who are we talking about?
The Lion King made the spotted hyena infamous: but there are three other species out there!
As the spotted hyena is the largest and most common of the four, this Q&A session will be focused on them.
What are hyenas laughing about?
I like to think that every hyena is just a comedian, but a scientist will tell you that those "chuckles" are a complex set of vocalizations that hyenas use to communicate with each other. A giggle could mean anything from "Okay! I'll back down" to "I missed you, friend!".
Do hyenas always scavenge for their food?
Many think of hyenas as being free-loaders of the African savannah, but the reality is that hyenas are incredibly skilled hunters who take down at least 50% of their prey. Capable of reaching speeds up to 50 km/hour, and equipped with one of the most powerful bite forces in the animal kingdom, a single adult can take down a full-grown wildebeest.
Hyenas are related to dogs. I mean, cats.
No, and no! Hyenas are so unique that they've been categorized into their own family, Hyaenidae.
The Lion King depicts hyenas as dim-witted creatures. Are they really?
A hyena's intelligence actually rivals that of primates! That means they're capable of distinguishing individuals inside and outside their packs, learning from past mistakes, and making social decisions based on self-gain. Talk about a high IQ!
Are hyenas cowardly?
Replace "cowardly" with "strategic," and you'd be on the right track. Instead of funneling energy into the pursuit of their prey, hyenas will wait their victim out by nipping at their weak points little by little. This reduces the chance of the hyena getting fatally injured and often pays off in a tasty reward.
Are hyenas hermaphrodites?
A hermaphroditic animal is an organism that has both male and female reproductive parts. This is not the case with hyenas.
While it may appear that females are sporting male genitalia, what they actually have is a pseduopenis: an external extension of the female reproductive parts. The pseudopenis is used in common processes such as urinating, mating, and giving birth, but its structure also gives females a unique position of power. They are in total control over who they mate with and will pass their rank to their offspring. All hail the matriarchy!
Why do hyenas have such a bad rep if they're so awesome?
That's a great question! Unfortunately, carnivores have historically been discriminated against with misinformation and fear fueling their removal. The more people know about these impressive creatures, the more we can celebrate and protect them!
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