Spotted Hyenas
Hyenas are one of Africa's top predators. There are three types, spotted, brown, and striped, of which spotted are the largest. In relation to their size, they have the strongest jaws of all mammals.
Because of their enigmatic nature, they have been the subject of folklore across different cultures.
There is a common misconception that they are primarily scavengers, yet most of their diet is made up from direct kills. With excellent night vision and hearing they hunt in organised groups called clans, and have been known to take down lions.
Like many carnivores, hyenas come into conflict with humans particularly when they prey on livestock. Because of this, they seen as pests, which often results in retaliatory killings, especially poisoning.
A further issue is, as with all wildlife as human populations expand, they are losing space in which to freely roam.
Spotted Hyenas
Hyenas are one of Africa's top predators. There are three types, spotted, brown, and striped, of which spotted are the largest. In relation to their size, they have the strongest jaws of all mammals.
Because of their enigmatic nature, they have been the subject of folklore across different cultures.
There is a common misconception that they are primarily scavengers, yet most of their diet is made up from direct kills. With excellent night vision and hearing they hunt in organised groups called clans, and have been known to take down lions.
Like many carnivores, hyenas come into conflict with humans particularly when they prey on livestock. Because of this, they seen as pests, which often results in retaliatory killings, especially poisoning.
A further issue is, as with all wildlife as human populations expand, they are losing space in which to freely roam.