Hyenas are distinctive mammals forming their own biological family, Hyaenidae, unrelated to dogs or cats. Their unique physical characteristics, like front legs appearing longer than hind legs, create an unusual gait. They also exhibit complex social structures, particularly the spotted hyena, which lives in matriarchal clans. The nature of their diet is a frequent subject of curiosity and often leads to common misconceptions.
Debunking the Omnivore Myth
Despite popular belief, hyenas are not omnivores; they are carnivores. A common misconception arises from their reputation as scavengers, leading some to believe they consume nearly anything. While hyenas are opportunistic feeders that readily scavenge, especially striped hyenas, the majority of their sustenance comes from hunting. Spotted hyenas, for instance, are skilled predators, obtaining between 50% and 90% of their diet from direct kills. Their classification as carnivores is rooted in their digestive physiology and nutritional needs, adapted for a meat-based diet.
Primary Dietary Habits
Hyenas are highly efficient predators and scavengers, with their primary food sources being other animals. Spotted hyenas, known for their cooperative hunting, target medium to large ungulates such as wildebeest, zebra, and various antelope species. They employ diverse hunting strategies, including stalking, ambushing, and persistence chasing, often working in coordinated groups to exhaust their prey. Even though they are capable hunters, hyenas also readily consume carrion, including carcasses left by other large predators like lions.
One of their most remarkable adaptations is their powerful jaws and robust teeth, allowing them to consume nearly all parts of a carcass. They can crush and digest bones, hide, hooves, and even teeth, extracting nutrients other predators leave behind. The spotted hyena’s bite force is exceptionally strong, estimated at around 1,100 pounds per square inch (PSI), significantly more powerful than an average human bite of approximately 162 PSI. Striped hyenas also possess formidable jaw strength, with a bite force around 800 PSI, enabling them to crush bones effectively. Indigestible components like hair and horns are typically regurgitated as pellets.
Occasional Plant Ingestion
While hyenas are carnivores, they may occasionally ingest plant material. Such instances are typically incidental, occurring when they consume prey in grassy areas or for moisture content in arid environments. There are also rare observations of hyenas eating fruits or vegetables, especially when food is scarce, but this does not constitute a significant or intentional portion of their diet for nutritional value. On average, plant material, including fruits and vegetables, is estimated to make up a minimal percentage of a hyena’s diet, ranging from 5% to 10%. This occasional ingestion does not alter their fundamental classification as carnivorous animals.