Pack of hyenas

Animals don't speak; only humans can speak, and animals can only make gestures or communicate with their group through sounds. The pack will only obey the dominant female (queen) and her female offspring (princess), and the males are the lowest rank, even below the pups. At every meal, the pups eat first because they are the most protected. If it weren't for the fact that the males are very interested in their hierarchy, they might attack the male pups if they become a threat. It doesn't matter if the pup is the son of the dominant female (queen); if it is a male, it must leave the pack immediately when it grows up. Humans can reach and document hyenas, and hunters can also reach and hunt them.

Lions are their biggest threat. Not only do they compete for the same prey, but lions also kill hyenas to reduce pressure on their own resources. Confrontations can be brutal: a single adult lion can kill a hyena, but a large pride can drive out even several lions if they work together.

Leopards rarely attack adult hyenas, but they pose a significant danger to cubs, especially when they are alone outside the den. In areas where both species hunt, a leopard will often abandon a kill if it hears a clan approaching, knowing it will be outnumbered.

African wild dogs are fast and coordinated, and although hyenas often steal their food, deadly attacks on pups and isolated hyenas also occur. The rivalry is intense because both groups hunt together and seek similar prey.

Nile crocodiles are dangerous enemies in rivers and watering holes. They may attack hyenas that come down to drink or try to cross. Their bite is powerful enough to drag an adult hyena underwater.

In addition to predators, hyenas face another type of enemy: territorial competition with other spotted hyena clans. Clashes between clans can result in serious injuries or death, especially if cubs are involved.

Ultimately, the most destructive enemy is humankind. Habitat loss, poisonings from conflicts with ranchers, and poaching have reduced populations. Although they are adaptable animals, human pressure is a constant and far more serious threat than that of any natural predator.

Male spotted hyenas have a very different role than females within the clan. When they reach maturity, almost all males are expelled or "pushed" to leave the group where they were born. It's not a direct, violent expulsion, but rather constant social pressure: females don't let them eat first, they keep them in the lowest rank, and young males can't compete with the dominant adults of the clan. This leads to the male, around the age of two, deciding to leave the group for his own survival.

When males arrive in a new clan, they must be extremely submissive. They remain for months or even years demonstrating respect: head bowed, ears back, low posture, and zero aggression. Only after a long time do they manage to integrate. Even then, they are always subordinate to all females and rarely rise in rank. Their reproductive success depends entirely on their patience and on gaining the tolerance of high-ranking females. This dynamic maintains genetic diversity within the clans and prevents dangerous confrontations within the same family group.

It is the largest and most social hyena species in the world, with clans that can exceed 80 individuals. They possess extremely strong jaws capable of breaking thick bones and digesting them completely. They are excellent hunters: more than 60% of their food comes from hunting themselves, not from carrion. Their vocalizations include laughter, howls, grunts, and moans, each with specific social meanings. Females are larger and more muscular than males, which helps maintain the matriarchal hierarchy. They can run at about 60 km/h and maintain long chases thanks to their stamina. Its territory can cover tens of square kilometers, marked with scent glands. They have an average lifespan of 12 years in the wild and more than 20 in captivity. Its light-colored fur with black spots serves as camouflage in grasslands and savannas. They are fundamental to the ecosystem because they control herbivore populations and clean up animal remains. Sure, here are some more different facts about the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta): It is one of the few mammals with females that produce more testosterone than males, which influences their dominant behavior. Their “laughter” does not express happiness: it usually indicates nervousness, frustration, or social conflict. They can hunt prey much larger than themselves, such as adult wildebeest, by coordinating group attacks. They possess a highly acidic digestive system that eliminates dangerous bacteria, allowing them to eat almost any part of their prey. Their night vision is excellent, making them effective hunters at night. They have anal glands that release a strong odor used to mark territory or communicate stress. Their rounded ears help them pick up distant sounds and locate hidden prey. Clans have “guards” or watchmen, individuals who stay alert while others eat or rest. Spotted hyenas can travel more than 50 km in a single night patrolling their territory.

Hyena cubs spend several hours a day perfecting their "submission posture" to use it correctly in the hierarchy.

When the mother returns from hunting, the cubs greet her with small jumps and short squeaks.

High-ranking pups can "steal" food from other young females, something that low-ranking pups are not allowed to do.

The pups recognize the vocalizations of their clan and distinguish the voices of strangers from a very young age.

At three months old they can already break small bones with their jaw, although they still depend on milk.

The puppies often form small groups while exploring, called "creches", a kind of natural nursery.

On cold days, several puppies sleep together to conserve heat inside the burrow.

Mothers teach their young to be patient at mealtimes, using gentle grunts and nudges to correct them.

Although future males will leave the clan, they form strong bonds with their sisters when they are young.

Puppies learn to identify the strength of other youngsters through games that mimic real fights.

Clarification: If the dominant female has male pups, they are treated well in the presence of the dominant female, but when that dominant female leaves for a few minutes, the pack begins to mistreat that male pup. However, if the pup is female, she is treated as the heir to her mother's throne and is respected. If the male puppy is from a non-dominant female, they treat him badly even if his mother is there; if the puppy is female, they value her more but do not respect her as much as the females born to the dominant female. If both puppies are born as twins of the same sex, they compete with each other to prove their place in the pack and often die killing each other.

Spotted hyena cubs are one of the most interesting aspects of the clan because they are born with an unusual combination of independence and vulnerability. Births typically result in one or two cubs, but when same-sex twins are born (especially two females), intense competition can erupt within the first hours of life. Unlike many carnivores, the cubs are born with their eyes open, fully formed teeth, and dark fur that has not yet developed its adult spots. This early maturity allows them to move and defend themselves, but it also means that sibling rivalries can be fierce, as they fight from a young age to secure the best position for nursing.

The young spend their first few weeks inside the den, a tunnel system usually dug by other animals and adopted by the clan. There they are protected from predators and males other than their father, as the females are very selective and fierce when it comes to protecting their offspring. The mothers produce extremely nutritious milk, among the richest of all carnivores, which allows the pups to grow quickly even if the mother cannot feed them constantly due to long days of hunting. The pups nurse for more than a year, although they begin to eat meat from about three months old.

Another key detail is that pups inherit their mother's rank from birth. This influences how other clan members treat them: a pup from a dominant female receives priority for food, greater protection, and more tolerance from the adults. Conversely, pups from lower-ranking females have to wait longer and face more aggression. When they are about eight months old, they begin to leave the den more frequently and interact with the entire clan, learning the social rules, vocalizations, and alliances they will need in their adult lives.

The spotted hyena hierarchy is one of the most complex among mammals. The entire system is dominated by females: even the lowest-ranking female is superior to the highest-ranking male. At the top is the matriarch, who leads with the support of her close relatives; together they form a "power center" that controls decisions, territory, and food. Rank is inherited: female offspring automatically acquire their mother's position, which ensures stability but also generates strong internal rivalries. Males, upon reaching maturity, typically leave the clan and join another, where they start at the lowest rank, displaying continuous submission. The hierarchy is maintained through vocalizations, body postures, chases, and alliances, and a disruption of the order only occurs if a young, strong female manages to challenge the status of a higher-ranking female. This strict structure makes the clan function in a highly organized and efficient manner.

Spotted hyena females have a pregnancy of about 110 days and usually give birth in safe dens, typically with one or two cubs. Childbirth is difficult because they possess a pseudo-penis through which they must also give birth, making the birth dangerous and slow. The young are born with open eyes and teeth, and from the beginning they compete with each other while the mother protects and nurses them for months.

In spotted hyena packs, leadership is entirely matriarchal. The alpha female, called the matriarch, is the most dominant and usually comes from a line of strong females. Her authority is based on strength, experience, and the support of her close relatives. She decides hunting routes, resting places, and who eats first. Her clan can range from 10 to more than 80 individuals, but females always form its core.

Females maintain order through vocal signals, controlled aggression, and familial alliances. Female offspring inherit their mothers' rank, ensuring stability and continuity of power. Males, on the other hand, always occupy the lowest ranks and must show submission to all adult females. Upon reaching maturity, many males leave the clan to join others, where they too begin at the bottom.

The matriarch is rarely challenged, but if she shows weakness, another high-ranking female may attempt to replace her. Even so, female leadership keeps the pack cohesive, organized, and effective during hunts and conflicts with rivals. This strict hierarchical system is one of the reasons why spotted hyenas are so successful as social predators.