![]() ![]() ![]() Striped hyenas are widespread in North and East Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, but while they’re found in many countries, their overall numbers are low. Linked to magic and witchcraft in many cultures, this species’ reputation has unjustly suffered. Striped hyenas are another misunderstood member of Hyaenidae. Striped Hyena – Mysterious, Magical Beast? They don’t mess around at dinner time, and when the whole clan gathers for dinner, they make short work of even the biggest meals. Spotted hyenas can both splinter and digest large bones. Even the mightiest herbivores (like elephants) often wind up as a meal for a grateful hyena clan. Their powerful jaws are just as effective on carrion as live prey, and their adaptations ensure they don’t waste any food. Spotted hyenas are scavengers too, though. Despite their reputation as pack hunters, they attempt lone hunts more often – but their success rate is much higher when the clan works together. Spotted hyenas’ favourite prey differs based on location, but favourites include medium-sized ungulates like zebra, antelope, and wildebeest. Hyenas hunt just as much as their ‘mane’ rivals. In reality, the reverse is equally common. The stereotype is a pack, or ‘clan,’ of hyenas stealing a lion’s kill. ![]() Spotted hyenas are (sometimes) scavengers, but they’re also one of Africa’s best hunters. It’s not just The Lion King – popular culture reinforces the misconception of spotted hyenas as “ mangy scavengers” who gang up on noble predators to steal their meal. If spotted hyenas know a decent lawyer, they should consider suing Disney for defamation. Rounding out the hyena family are three other species: striped hyenas, brown hyenas, and the smaller, more distant relative, the aardwolf. These are the largest, most widespread, and probably the most misunderstood of all hyenas. The most famous species is undoubtably the spotted hyena. Firstly, let’s figure out which hyena you’re talking about. I’m sure you’re confused, but there’s no single answer to the question. Is the hyena a scavenger or a hunter? Yes. The hyena family has an image problem, but if you dig deeper, you’ll find a fascinating group of animals that should be celebrated and respected. But why are scavengers vilified in the first place? In fact, there are several species of hyena, all with different behaviour and diets. (It’s not an accurate description either, but we’ll get to that later.) That’s just one species – the spotted hyena. A cackling coward skulking in the shadows. People imagine a sinister creature stealing kills from lions and other predators. It’s a common misconception of Africa’s most misunderstood mammals. ![]()
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