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Watch Curious Spotted Hyena Jump On Car Full Of Tourists

Watch Curious Spotted Hyena Jump On Car
Curious Spotted Hyena Jump On Car. Image by Hyena Project via YouTube

Get ready for a ride of a lifetime as we join in on a journey into the heart of the African savanna.

In the video above, the footage captures a curios hyena jumping up onto a car inspecting the people inside. We’re sure the audience was very impressed that the man in the car did not pet the hyena! As sweet as the hyena looks, we cannot forget that they have a stronger bite force than a lion.

Let us explore the hyenas behavioral traits to further understand the video above…

Social Structure and Communication

Image of a baby Hyena via Pexels.

Hyenas are highly social animals. They live in large clans led by dominant females. Communication is key within these clans and hyenas use a variety of sounds. Such as whoops, giggles and growls. They make these noises to communicate messages to each other. Furthermore, hyenas recognize each other individually based on vocal cues alone!

Hunting Strategies and Scavenging

hyena
Hyena in the Masai Mara. Richard Probst, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Contrary to popular belief, hyenas are skilled hunters as well as scavengers. They use both solo and cooperative hunting strategies. They usually target medium to large-sized ungulates. Although hyenas also scavenge from the kills of other predators. They use their powerful jaws to crack open bones and access the marrow.

Maternal Care and Clan Dynamics

Image of a baby Hyena via Pexels.

Female hyenas hold a dominant position within the clan. They show aggressive behavior towards males. Although, they display remarkable maternal care! They nurse their cubs for up to 18 months. Hyena cubs are born with fully developed teeth and eyesight.This helps them to compete for food from an early age.

Territorial Behavior and Scent Marking

spotted hyena
H1-3 Road South of Satara, Kruger NP, SOUTH AFRICA. Image by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 < https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hyenas are territorial. Clan territories can range in size depending on factors such as food availability and population density. They mark their territories using scent glands located on their anal pouches. This leaves a distinctive olfactory cues for other hyenas. Intruders are met with fierce defense.

The Physical Characteristics of the Hyena

Size & Weight

spotted hyena
H1-3 Road South of Satara, Kruger NP, SOUTH AFRICA. Image by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 <
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hyenas come in different size. The adults weigh between 90 and 190 pounds.

Fur Color

brown hyena
A brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) drinking water, Kalahari desert, South Africa. Image by EcoPic via depositphotos

Their fur is usually tan or brown and is marked with spots, stripes, or patches.

Body Shape

Brown hyena
Brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) with prey (baby bat-eared fox) in mouth – Kalahari desert (South Africa). Image by Johan Swanepoel via Depositphotos

Hyenas have a robust build with a sloping back and powerful forequarters.

Ears

Brown Hyena
A Brown Hyena (Hyaena brunnea Syn. Parahyaena brunnea), courtesy of South African Tourism. Image by http://www.southafrica.net, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

Their ears are large, rounded and have with great hearing.

Eyes

Hyena in South Africa, one out of the five members forming part of ‘The Ugly Five’. © Engela Punt Animals Around The Globe®

Hyenas have forward-facing eyes which give them good depth perception.

Teeth

pack of hyenas
Photo by OndrejProsicky via Depositphotos

They have strong, conical teeth which are suited for crushing bones.

Jaws

hyena
Photo by Henrik Hansen via Unsplash

Hyenas have very powerful jaws which can exert immense pressure.

Legs

Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Etosha National Park, Namibia, southen Africa. Image via Deposit Photos.

Their legs are long and muscular.

Tail

Donkey Defends Farm from Hyena
Hyena. Image via Deposit Photos.

Hyenas have a bushy tail that is often black-tipped.

Paws

Brown Hyena
Brown Hyena at Working with Wildlife, South Africa. Image by AfricanConservation, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Their paws are broad with non-retractable claws.

Nose

brown hyena
Baby brown hyenas, Madikwe. Image by flowcomm, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A hyena’s nose is keen, this gives them their excellent sense of smell.

Coat Texture

hyena
By Rushikesh Deshmukh dop – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132933728

Their fur is coarse and bristly.

Neck

Hyena Kruger National Park. Tara Panton
Hyena Kruger National Park. Image by Tara Panton.

Hyenas have strong, muscular necks that support their large heads.

Skull

Depositphotos_471017726_L
A scary striped hyena walks through the savannah in the rays of the setting sun. Dangerous predator and scavenger. Image via Deposit Photos.

Their skulls are heavy, designed to support powerful jaw muscles.

Vocal Cords

Hyena Eating His Own Flesh
Hyena yawning. Image via Pexels.

Hyenas have specialized vocal cords that give them their distinctive laughter and other vocalizations!

Wrap Up

Hyena Kruger National Park. Tara Panton
Hyena Kruger National Park. Image by Tara Panton.

For the full article link click here!

overall, the video above gives us an idea of the behavioral traits of hyenas. As we explored their social structure and communication, hunting strategies and scavenging habits, maternal care and clan dynamics, and territorial behavior and scent marking, it becomes clear that hyenas are more than just scavengers of the African savanna!

Thanks for reading along, for more, check out our related article link below!

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