For years, striped hyenas were believed to be solitary creatures, roaming the landscapes alone. However, recent fascinating studies have shed light on a more complex social life, revealing that in certain regions, these animals live in small, close-knit groups. These groups, often centered around a female and several males, present a unique family dynamic within the animal kingdom. Primarily active during the night or twilight hours (nocturnal and crepuscular), striped hyenas seek refuge during the day in natural caves or burrows they dig themselves into hillsides. Intriguingly, they’ve even been known to commandeer dens from other wildlife, showcasing their opportunistic nature. Don’t expect a pristine home, though! A hyena’s den is typically a practical space, scattered with the remnants of past meals – leftover bones.
This social structure of the Hyena Family likely offers significant advantages. Group living can be crucial for safeguarding food sources, a vital aspect of survival in the wild. Furthermore, a hyena family unit provides enhanced defense against formidable predators such as lions, tigers, leopards, and even the spotted hyena, a larger and more dominant cousin. Despite these natural threats, the most significant danger to the hyena family comes from human activities. Tragically, many striped hyenas fall victim to road accidents, often struck by vehicles while scavenging roadkill.
The lives of striped hyena pups are far from pampered. Much of their early family life remains shrouded in mystery, as they are raised in secluded dens. Typically, pups are born when food resources are abundant, increasing their chances of survival. After a gestation period of approximately three months, the mother hyena selects a safe cave or sheltered location to give birth. Litters usually consist of two to four fluffy pups, bearing markings similar to adult hyenas but lacking the distinctive mane along their backs. Born into a world of vulnerability, these pups are initially helpless, barely able to crawl, with their eyes and ears sealed shut for the first five to nine days of life. Around two weeks old, they begin to open their eyes and truly greet the world. The nurturing hyena family ensures their young are well-fed, with pups nursing for over a year, a testament to the extended parental care within the hyena family.
At about one month old, these young carnivores begin to taste their first solid food. The mother, and sometimes the males within her group, bring food back to the den, triggering excited, bleating calls from the hungry pups in anticipation of a meal. Play is a crucial part of growing up in a hyena family. Pups engage in playful chasing, stalking, pouncing, and ambushing each other, honing skills that will be essential for future hunts. They remain with their mother for a considerable period, learning vital food gathering and hunting techniques, integral knowledge passed down within the hyena family. However, this family bond is not forever. When the pups reach approximately two years of age, the mother prepares for her offspring to become independent. The young hyenas must then venture out to establish their own territories, marking the next stage in the hyena family cycle.
Striped hyenas are masters of stealth, typically moving silently and unnoticed through their environment. Their most prominent vocalization, a cackling howl, is rarely heard. More often, when excited, they produce rapid, short whinnies or cackles. When faced with rival hyenas, threat displays begin with a growl that escalates into a roar, often followed by a low, snapping lunge.
In contrast to their more boisterous spotted hyena relatives, striped hyenas are generally quiet animals. Their communication extends beyond vocalizations, however. Body language plays a significant role in hyena family interactions. A striped hyena can instantly appear almost twice its size by raising the long hair along its back! This is not necessarily aggression, but rather a defensive display, a last-ditch effort to appear larger and more intimidating to potential predators. Ear position, tail movements, and overall body posture also contribute to the complex communication within the hyena family.
Hyenas possess exceptional hearing, capable of detecting sounds beyond the range of human ears. They utilize this acute sense to listen for the sounds of other predators, which may lead them to a kill, even from miles away. They also employ a sophisticated built-in communication system: an anal scent gland used to mark their territory. Each hyena family member leaves a unique scent signature, contributing to the intricate web of communication within their environment.
Myths, legends, and superstitions have long surrounded hyenas, often painting them in a negative light. One myth claims they prey on children, yet paradoxically, they have also been kept as loyal and trustworthy pets in some cultures. Another legend casts hyenas as grave robbers, a belief so pervasive that the practice of placing tombstones on graves in the Near East is said to have originated to deter hyenas from disturbing burials. In some cultures, dried hyena dung is used as a cosmetic face powder, while others believe that the hyena’s tongue and fat possess medicinal properties. In other traditions, a striped hyena’s heart is consumed to gain courage, and their whiskers are preserved as charms.
The hyena’s undeserved reputation as a distasteful, unpleasant, or even malevolent creature has unfortunately permeated popular culture. The Disney animated film The Lion King famously perpetuated this negative stereotype, portraying hyenas as villains. However, those who have studied or worked with hyenas firsthand can attest to their intelligence, their cooperative social groups, and their devoted care for their young within the hyena family. We hope this exploration has provided you with a new and more informed understanding of the hyena family and these fascinating animals!
