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Benefits of the hyena's social behaviors include improved fitness, and an increased chance of survival.

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Benefits of the hyena's social behaviors include improved fitness, and an increased chance of survival.

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One of the main social behaviors hyenas are known for, is hunting with a large group of other hyenas. This makes them more scary, safe from predators, and makes it easier to catch prey.

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One of the main social behaviors hyenas are known for, is hunting with a large group of other hyenas. This makes them more scary, safe from predators, and makes it easier to catch prey.

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Hyenas used to attack singularly, but were not as effective, having only a 15% successful hunt rate. As more and more hyenas came about, the bonds became stronger and they started to hunt together. As more and more hyena packs came about, it became evident that they were more efficient as packs (74% successful rate). This is where the hyena's main social behavior came about.

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A small pack of hyenas, scouting for food.

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A small pack of hyenas, scouting for food.

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All animals have at least one adaptation that helps them survive and improves their fitness

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All animals have at least one adaptation that helps them survive and improves their fitness

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One adaptation hyenas acquired throughout the years is getting bigger ears. These extremely big ears help hyenas easily know where there predators and prey are, increasing their fitness in the process. This adaptation could also be a huge reason to why hyenas have a 74% successful hunt rate

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One adaptation hyenas acquired throughout the years is getting bigger ears. These extremely big ears help hyenas easily know where there predators and prey are, increasing their fitness in the process. This adaptation could also be a huge reason to why hyenas have a 74% successful hunt rate

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https://www.altinawildlife.com/spotted-hyena/#:~:text=The%20hunting%20success%20rate%20as,Daughters%20inherit%20their%20mothers'%20status.

https://blog.londolozi.com/2017/05/03/why-the-hyenas-are-alone/

https://denverzoo.org/animals/spotted-hyena/#:~:text=Adaptations,%2C%20horns%2C%20hair%20and%20bones.

https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/239225

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Scientific Classification

Common Name

spotted hyena, laughing hyena

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Hyaenidae

Genus Species

Crocuta crocuta (from crocus, the color of saffron, and utus which means provided with)

Fast Facts

Description

Coat is rough and short, color is reddish brown to tan, becoming lighter and less spotted with age, tail pompom and nose are black

Size

Male: 79 to 86 cm (32 to 34 in.)
Female: 84 to 89 cm (34 to 35 in.)

Weight

Male: 56 to 63 kg (123 to 138 lbs.)
Female: 67 to 75 kg (147 to 165 lbs.)

Diet

Carnivorous: preys on wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, topi, buffalo

Incubation

110 days or 4 months, average 2 young per litter but anywhere from 1 to 4, non-seasonal mating

Sexual Maturity

Approximately 3 years
Female: Females mature later than males

Life Span

Average 12 years; maximum 20 to 25 years

Range

South of Sahara, except through areas with extreme desert conditions

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of habitats including grasslands, woodlands, sub-deserts, and mountains up to 4,000 meters.

Population

Global: Unknown

Status

IUCN: Not listed
CITES: Not listed
USFWS: Not listed; most abundant of hyenas

Fun Facts

1. Hyenas live in territorial social groups called clans. Clans are dominated by females and can reach up to 70 members.

2. The spotted hyena is the largest species of hyena. The other species are the brown hyena and the striped hyena.

3. Female hyenas possess similar looking reproductive organs to males therefore accurate sexing can be difficult.

4. The hyena is more closely related to the mongoose and cat than the dog.

5. The hyena is primarily a hunter, not a scavenger. They usually hunt alone however clans will hunt together in order to catch larger prey. They are also good opportunistic hunters.

Ecology and Conservation

Hyenas, like several other African carnivores, are important for the health of hoofed animal populations by weeding out the weak and sick as prey items. Their predation helps to keep the balance between these herds and their food resources. Hyenas are particularly efficient predators since they are capable of digesting bones, horns and even the teeth of their prey. Hyenas are also important to the study of the evolution of carnivores.

Bibliography

Berger, Diana M.P., D.V.M., M.S., Frank, Lawrence G., Ph.D., Glickman, Stephan E., Ph.D.. Unraveling Ancient Mysteries: Biology and Captive Management of the Spotted Hyena, Crocuta crocuta.

Frank, L.G., Glickman, S.E., Powch, Irene. Sexual Dimorphism In the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta).

Estes, Richard D. The Safari Companion. Post Mills: Chelsea Green Publishing Co., 1993.

Kruuk, Hans. The Spotted Hyena, A Study of Predation and Social Behavior. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1972.

Parker, Sybil P. Grzimek's Encyclopedia Mammals. Vol. III. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1990.

Stevens, Jan E., Secrets of the Spotted Hyena. San Francisco Examiner Image. Aug. 8, 1993.

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Common Name spotted hyena, laughing hyena Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Hyaenidae Genus Species Crocuta crocuta (from crocus, the color of saffron, and utus which means provided with) Description Coat is rough and short, color is reddish brown to tan, becoming lighter and less spotted with age, tail pompom and nose are black Size Male: 79 to 86 cm (32 to 34 in.)

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The spotted hyena has lots of black spots which was an adaptation to help them camouflage with the grass in Africa's Savannah areas. This hyena also has big, powerful jaws for running and jumping, and a muscular neck. The spotted hyena is also notorious for its "laughing." The hyena uses this "laugh" as a way to alert that they are in danger or in trouble. The hyena also uses the laugh when they are frustrated.

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In conclusion, hyenas and their different social behaviors help them succeed in the environment, and help them maintain good fitness. Without for example, hyenas having extremely big ears, their population would be much smaller, and maybe extinct. Without adaptions like these, hyenas would be doomed.

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In conclusion, hyenas and their different social behaviors help them succeed in the environment, and help them maintain good fitness. Without for example, hyenas having extremely big ears, their population would be much smaller, and maybe extinct. Without adaptions like these, hyenas would be doomed.