Hyenas are carnivores known for their complex, typically matriarchal social structures. They live in large, cooperative groups called clans, requiring sophisticated communication for coordination and hierarchy maintenance. Their rich acoustic repertoire allows clan members to manage territory, coordinate hunts, and signal individual needs over vast distances.
The Direct Answer: Do Hyenas Bark?
The short answer to whether hyenas produce a true bark, like a dog, is no. Hyenas belong to the family Hyaenidae, placing them taxonomically closer to felines and mongooses than to dogs (Canidae family). While they possess a large repertoire of vocalizations, the classic canine bark is not among their primary sounds. The misconception likely stems from certain sharp, staccato alarm or aggressive calls that may sound bark-like to an untrained human ear.
The Whoop and the Laugh: Primary Hyena Vocalizations
The “whoop” is the spotted hyena’s most recognized long-distance call, functioning primarily for recruitment and announcing presence. This loud, musical vocalization often begins with a low tone before being modulated up and down in pitch. Whoops are effective for clan coordination and territory maintenance, capable of traveling up to five kilometers. Research has determined that these calls contain individual signatures, allowing a listener to recognize the specific hyena calling from a distance.
Hyenas typically emit the whoop in bouts ranging from two to over thirty repetitions, and the consistency of these extended call bouts helps listeners identify the caller. The “giggle,” often mislabeled as a laugh, is a high-pitched, staccato sound that communicates distress or excitement. This frantic vocalization is commonly heard in high-tension situations, such as when submissive individuals are conflicted over approaching a kill or when the clan is confronted by lions. The giggle is a form of intense social signaling, not an expression of amusement.
Communication Signals and Context
The acoustic properties of hyena vocalizations are finely tuned to convey specific social information within their complex hierarchy. For the giggle, the pitch and variability communicate the caller’s age, identity, and social status. Dominant hyenas tend to produce a steady, confident giggle, while subordinate animals emit a more variable call, signaling their lower rank or anxiety. This variation enables other clan members to quickly assess the social implications of the situation without visual contact.
Beyond the whoop and giggle, the spotted hyena’s vocal repertoire includes as many as 14 distinct sounds, each used in different conditions. Alarm calls are short, abrupt sounds used to signal immediate danger to the clan. Softer sounds, such as growls and groans, are close-range signals used in social interactions, like when adults approach each other or when mothers call their cubs out of the den. The urgency conveyed in the whoop is signaled by the inter-whoop interval, with shorter intervals suggesting a more immediate need for a response.
The complexity of their communication system mirrors their sophisticated “fission-fusion” social structure. Large clans frequently break into and reconvene from smaller groups, enabling them to effectively utilize resources and defend a large territory. Their ability to convey nuanced information about individual identity and social status through vocalizations is a foundation for their cooperative success.
Vocal Differences Among Hyena Species
The four extant hyena species exhibit significant differences in vocal communication, largely reflecting their social structures. The Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the subject of the most research, is the most social, requiring its complex repertoire of whoops and giggles for large clan management. In contrast, the Brown Hyena (Hyaena brunnea) and the Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) are far more solitary or live in small family groups. These species rely less on long-distance vocalizations and more on scent marking for territorial communication.
Brown hyenas are not highly vocal, primarily communicating through quiet sounds like squeaks, growls, and grunts that are not audible from a distance. The Striped Hyena, while also solitary, is known for a distinctive howling call that can carry over several miles. The smallest species, the insectivorous Aardwolf (Proteles cristata), is the least vocal of the family, using a minimal range of sounds. Its diet of termites does not require cooperative hunting, so its communication is limited mostly to growls, hisses, and clucking sounds used for very close-range interactions.