Just when you thought these were the most masculine ladies around, let it be known that female hyenas actually possess genitalia similar to that of the males. Males are also smaller in size than females, and females possess more testosterone than any other female mammal. Hyenas exist in clans, which are family groups run by larger, aggressive females. All males in the clan will rank lower than every female, including female cubs. Hyenas are not to be messed with – and this one was injured! Here we captured a moment between a leopard and a hyena at night in the Klaserie: The male leopard was intimidated by the hyena and far-too-willingly let his kill go when the hyena approached. What this says about hyenas is that they are survivors, taking whatever is available, and not limiting themselves. Particularly in areas where there are not many lions, hyenas reign supreme, hunting and killing most of what they eat, and scavenging only a small percentage of their meals. Leopards fussily pluck out fur and feathers before eating their freshly killed food, lions have the reputation of the ‘hunting elite’ (although, do not be fooled, lions do scavenge and eat their fair share of maggot-infested meat) yet hyenas are the ones walking away with the bad rep! In actual fact, 95% of meals hyenas eat are the result of a successful hunt.
Take a look at this fantastic sighting of a clan of spotted hyenas at Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp recently. However, these notorious meat-eaters are in fact the most successful large carnivores in Africa, and can most certainly be classified as ‘super predators’ of the African wild. With unbelievable endurance, extremely strong neck and jaws, specially designed teeth, and social structures that are brutal right from birth it is no wonder that these misunderstood creatures take on lions, and win.
#Are hyenas scavengers skin#
Naturally, one would lead towards ‘scavenger’ as a title for the spotted hyena, given their presence at almost every rotting kill site, and their ability to finish off the toughest skin and bone of a carcass.
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