Hyenas live in groups called clans (large family groups). There may be up to 60 animals in a clan and each clan is dominated by a female. The clan¿s territory is marked by secretions of the anal glands and by communal toilets. Amongst the clan members the ties are very strong, greeting one another in a ceremony that involves much sniffing of the genitalia. The clan also shares a sleeping den. The hyena is active at night and individuals may hunt alone or cooperate with others. The normal call of the hyena is a dog-like woof or growl, and they are extremely noisy animals.

Diet

The main food of the hyena is dead animals called carrion. Hyenas, together with the vulture, are the initial disposal agents of corpses. As well as the flesh, hyenas eat the bones, horns and skin of dead animals. They are effective removal agents of dying or weak animals. Because hyenas go for the weak animals, this often means that the rest of the herd has a better chance of escape. Contrary to popular belief though, hyenas are also successful hunters and their prey includes antelopes, zebras and wildebeest. They will also prey on rodents, reptiles and even old and injured lions. The hyena is therefore a hunter as well as a scavenger. The hyena¿s digestive system crushes and dissolves nearly all of the scavenged kill, regurgitating hooves and antlers that cannot be dissolved into the required digestive pellet-size.

Adaptations

The strong jaws, front limbs and specialised teeth are adaptations for killing, carrying, and eating their food. The hyena¿s spotted coat, or the striped coat in the case of the striped hyena, is an adaptation to render the animal less visible.