Hyenas: The Misunderstood Scavengers of Africa and Beyond

Hyenas are feliform carnivores that belong to the family Hyaenidae. They are found in Africa, Asia, and India, where they play a vital role as scavengers and hunters. Hyenas help to clean their environment by eating the remains of animals that other predators leave behind, preventing infections and diseases. They also hunt smaller animals, such as rodents, birds, snakes, and insects, when they cannot find carrion. Hyenas are often portrayed as cowardly, greedy, and evil animals in popular culture, but this is far from the truth. Hyenas are intelligent, social, and adaptable creatures that have complex behaviors and communication systems. They are not related to dogs, as many people think, but are closer to cats in their anatomy and habits. Hyenas are also not always laughing, as their vocalizations have different meanings and functions. In this article, we will explore the four different types of hyenas and their characteristics and learn more about these fascinating animals.

There are four species of hyenas in the world, each with its own unique features and adaptations. They are the spotted hyena, the brown hyena, the striped hyena, and the aardwolf. Here is a table that summarizes some of the basic information about each species:

Species	Scientific Name	Distribution	Size	Diet	Social Structure
Spotted hyena	Crocuta crocuta	Sub-Saharan Africa	110-190 lbs	Carnivorous	Live in large clans of up to 80 individuals
Brown hyena	Parahyaena brunnea	Southern Africa	75-160 lbs	Scavenging	Live in small groups of 2-15 individuals
Striped hyena	Hyaena hyaena	Africa, Asia, India	55-120 lbs	Omnivorous	Live in pairs or solitary
Aardwolf	Proteles cristata	Eastern and Southern Africa	15-30 lbs	Insectivorous	Live in monogamous pairs

Let’s take a closer look at each species and their characteristics:

• Spotted hyena: This is the largest and most common hyena species, and the one that most people are familiar with. Spotted hyenas have a coat of yellowish-brown fur with black spots, a mane of long hair on their neck and back, and a bushy tail. They have powerful jaws and teeth that can crush bones, and a digestive system that can process almost any animal material. Spotted hyenas are highly social and live in clans that are led by a dominant female. They communicate with each other using a variety of sounds, such as whoops, grunts, groans, and giggles. The giggles are not a sign of amusement, but rather a signal of nervousness or submission. Spotted hyenas are also very intelligent and can cooperate and solve problems. They hunt in groups and can take down large prey, such as wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo. They also scavenge from other predators, such as lions, and sometimes steal their kills. Spotted hyenas have a complex reproductive system, where females have a pseudo-penis that is used for urination, mating, and giving birth. Females are larger and more aggressive than males and have higher levels of testosterone. Spotted hyenas are not endangered, but they face threats from habitat loss, human persecution, and diseases.

• Brown hyena: This is the rarest and most elusive hyena species, and the second largest. Brown hyenas have a coat of shaggy brown fur with dark stripes on their legs and a dark patch on their throat. They have a mane of long hair on their neck and back, and a bushy tail. They have strong jaws and teeth, but not as powerful as the spotted hyena. Brown hyenas are mostly scavengers, and feed on the carcasses of animals that other predators leave behind. They also eat eggs, fruits, insects, and small animals. Brown hyenas are not very social and live in small groups of 2-15 individuals, called clans. They are mostly nocturnal and communicate with each other using scent marks, body postures, and vocalizations, such as growls, whines, and cackles. Brown hyenas are shy and timid and avoid confrontation with other animals. They are also very loyal and caring and will share food and groom each other. Brown hyenas have a similar reproductive system to the spotted hyena, where females have a pseudo-penis and are larger and more dominant than males. Brown hyenas are endangered, and their population is estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals. They face threats from habitat loss, human persecution, and competition with other predators.

• Striped hyena: This is the smallest of the bone-crushing hyenas, and the most widespread. Striped hyenas have a coat of gray or brown fur with black stripes on their body and legs, a mane of long hair on their neck and back, and a bushy tail. They have moderately strong jaws and teeth, and a digestive system that can process bones, hooves, and horns. Striped hyenas are omnivorous, and feed on a variety of foods, such as carrion, fruits, vegetables, insects, and small animals. They are also known to raid human garbage and crops. Striped hyenas are not very social and live in pairs or solitary. They are mostly nocturnal and communicate with each other using scent marks, body postures, and vocalizations, such as howls, yelps, and snarls. Striped hyenas are timid and cautious and will flee from danger or feign death. They are also very curious and playful and will investigate new objects and situations. Striped hyenas have a normal reproductive system, where females have a vagina and are smaller and less aggressive than males. Striped hyenas are vulnerable, and their population is estimated to be less than 20,000 individuals. They face threats from habitat loss, human persecution, and competition with other predators.

• Aardwolf: This is the smallest and most specialized hyena species, and the only one that does not belong to the genus Hyaena. Aardwolves have a coat of yellowish-brown fur with black stripes on their body and legs, a mane of long hair on their neck and back, and a bushy tail. They have weak jaws and teeth, and a digestive system that can process only insects. Aardwolves are insectivorous, and feed mainly on termites, which they lick up with their long sticky tongues. They can eat up to 300,000 termites in one night. Aardwolves are social and live in monogamous pairs, with their offspring staying with them until they are mature. They are mostly nocturnal and communicate with each other using scent marks, body postures, and vocalizations, such as barks, growls, and whimpers. Aardwolves are timid and defensive, and will erect their mane and tail, and emit a foul-smelling spray from their anal glands, to deter predators. They are also very territorial and will mark their boundaries with urine and feces. Aardwolves have a normal reproductive system, where females have a vagina and are smaller and less dominant than males. Aardwolves are not threatened, but they face some risks from habitat loss, human persecution, and diseases. 

Hyenas are amazing animals that have adapted to different environments and lifestyles. They are not the evil and cowardly creatures that many people think they are, but rather intelligent, social, and adaptable animals that have complex behaviors and communication systems. Hyenas are also very diverse, and each species has its own unique features and adaptations. Here are some interesting or surprising facts about hyenas that you may not know:

• Hyenas have a bite force of 1,100 psi, which is stronger than lions and tigers
• Hyenas can run up to 37 mph, which is faster than humans and most dogs
• Hyenas have excellent night vision, hearing, and smell, which help them locate prey and avoid predators
• Hyenas are one of the few animals that can digest bones, hooves, and horns, which provide them with calcium and phosphorus
• Hyenas can live up to 25 years in the wild, which is longer than most carnivores

Hyenas are truly remarkable animals that deserve our respect and admiration. They are not only the scavengers of Africa and beyond, but also the hunters, the cleaners, and the survivors.