a post about me

Ok I have nothing else to talk about so we’re gonna discuss spotted and striped hyenas

The spotted hyena

Everyone knows spotted hyenas. When hyenas appear in media it’s a spotted hyena, and it’s the main type everyone knows. Despite being the most well known, it’s the most different from other hyena species.

Spotted hyenas are social animals, they live in packs (or clans) of up to 80 members. Usually these clans are matriarchal, meaning females dominate over males. They live in ranks, females are almost always at the top of these ranks. Cubs inherit their mothers rank, so on rare occasions males can co-lead or lead a clan by that status; Though, usually males disperse from the clan they were born in at about 2 years old. Females most often stay in the clan they were born into all their life. Spotted hyenas social structures have been observed to be much more complex than other mammals, taking in a number of social factors into ranks rather than basing off of who’s the biggest and strongest of the group.

They’re the most widely dispersed out of the Hyaenidae family, living across various regions and found all over Africa. Unlike the other hyena species, they’re mainly predators. They have been observed to have no preference in prey, only mainly avoiding giraffe and African buffalo. They seem to be mainly crepuscular, though their waking hours are flexible and can be seen during both day and night.

Physiologically, they differ the most from the other hyena species. They possess no spinal mane and no stripes, which makes them a main outlier. They look more similar to African wild dogs than their cousins, though they belong to entirely different families; African wild dogs belonging to Caniformia and being true candids (more closely related to wolves, domesticated dogs, foxes, etc.) while spotted hyenas are apart of Feliformia  (more closely related to cats, meerkats, mongoose, etc.). The reason for their similar looks is convergent evolution, evolving in similar environment and gaining similar traits because of it.

 

striped hyenas

The less well known species of hyena, and my personal favorite. They resemble Aard wolves and brown hyenas more than spotted hyenas, and no one seems to know any of them.

A large factor setting striped hyenas apart is their secluded behavior. They live either solo or in pairs with a mate, having no need for social structure. There have been cases of groups living together in certain areas though. Their vocalizations are far less vast than spotted hyenas, though they laugh and chatter as well.

 They are entirely nocturnal, leaving and returning to their den in complete darkness. They are scavengers, usually feeding on decomposing carcasses of animals rather than hunting; though they have been observed hunting smaller prey rather than large prey like spotted hyenas. They don’t seem to be strictly carnivores, eating both insects and plants.  

Physiologically, striped hyenas are slimmer and carry more fur than spotted hyenas. A main marking of them is the long black mane that runs down their spine, as well as the black stripes that run down their body against their gray fur. Their ears are a lot pointer than the rounded ears of spotted hyenas, as well as a slimmer face rather than a broad head.

 

Theres a lot more to say about spotted hyenas because they do seem to be more intelligent than the other species but pls I love them both. Hit that like and subscribe button if I should cover Aard wolves and brown hyenas next.