Hyenas, known for their powerful jaws and distinctive vocalizations, are often stereotyped as mere scavengers of the African savanna. Their reputation often leads to curiosity about their feeding habits, particularly the question of whether they consume members of their own species. Examining their behavior reveals a complex dietary spectrum that extends beyond simple scavenging to skilled hunting.
Do Hyenas Eat Each Other?
Hyenas do engage in cannibalism, though it is not a primary or common feeding strategy. This behavior is documented across several hyena species, notably the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), and also occurs in striped hyenas, especially during extreme food shortage. Cannibalism in hyenas is part of their social dynamics and survival strategies.
Hyenas often kill before consuming their own species, particularly when adult hyenas attack cubs or weakened individuals. This behavior is rare compared to their usual diet. Cannibalism is more prevalent in spotted hyenas due to their complex social structures and competitive environments.
When Intra-Species Consumption Occurs
Intra-species consumption among hyenas occurs under specific, challenging conditions. Extreme food scarcity is a significant factor, where a dead or weakened hyena becomes a readily available meal. This has been observed during severe droughts when prey animals are scarce, leading hyenas to consume young or sick clan members.
Competition within hyena clans, especially among spotted hyenas, also drives this behavior. Infanticide, the killing of cubs, sometimes followed by consumption, reduces competition for resources for dominant females’ offspring. Siblicide, where one sibling kills another, is another form of cannibalism, especially among same-sex twins, driven by aggressive hormonal influences and resource competition. Violent clashes between rival hyena clans over territory can also lead to injured or killed individuals being consumed, eliminating a rival while providing sustenance.
Broader Hyena Feeding Habits
Placing intra-species consumption in context reveals it is an anomaly within the broader feeding ecology of hyenas. Hyenas are highly adaptable carnivores with a diverse diet, playing an important role in their ecosystems. Spotted hyenas, unlike their brown and striped cousins, are primarily predators, obtaining a significant portion of their diet, up to 95%, from their own kills.
Their hunting success can be as high as 74% when hunting in a clan, compared to 15% when hunting alone. They actively hunt a wide range of animals, including wildebeest, zebra, and antelope, often employing endurance chases and group strategies. Hyenas are also opportunistic scavengers, efficiently consuming carrion left by other predators. Their powerful jaws and digestive systems allow them to process bones, hooves, and skin, leaving very little waste. This dual role as both skilled hunters and efficient scavengers ensures their survival and contributes to ecosystem cleanliness.