Hyenas, and The Benefits of Their Social Behaviors by Elijah Popoola [STUDENT]

A small pack of hyenas, scouting for food.

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 14:37:18 UTC

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

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 14:40:25 UTC

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.

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 14:43:59 UTC

How did this group hunting start?

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 14:48:34 UTC

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.

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

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 14:58:15 UTC

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

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 15:02:02 UTC

Sources

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 15:08:28 UTC

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

Hyena Characteristics (Spotted Hyena)

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 15:15:04 UTC

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.

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.

elijah1252999 — 2024-03-27 15:19:25 UTC