The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a highly adaptable and successful carnivore that occupies the role of both a skilled hunter and an efficient scavenger across various African ecosystems. These animals live in complex social groups called clans, which can range widely in size depending on the available resources. The hyena’s success stems directly from its opportunistic feeding habits, allowing it to thrive by utilizing almost any available food source. This adaptability, combined with a unique social structure, makes the spotted hyena the most abundant large carnivore on the continent.
Zebras as Key Prey
Hyenas regularly prey upon and consume zebras, which form a significant part of their diet in many regions. Zebras are a preferred prey item due to their large body mass, often falling within the preferred size range for group hunting. In certain areas, such as the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, zebras can account for up to 70% of the hyena’s total prey biomass.
The hyenas strategically target the most vulnerable demographics within the zebra herds. Foals and juveniles are frequently sought out, as they are easier to isolate and subdue than adults. Older or injured adult zebras are also targeted to minimize the risk and energy expenditure required for a kill.
Hunting Tactics Versus Scavenging Large Prey
Hyenas acquire large animals like the zebra through both active predation and opportunistic scavenging. When hunting, hyenas rely on cooperative tactics and exceptional endurance rather than a quick ambush. A group utilizes a long-distance pursuit, chasing the zebra at speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour to exhaust the prey.
Once a target is selected, the group works to separate it from the herd. Adult zebras are challenging, requiring larger hunting groups than other ungulates due to the aggressive defense mounted by the herd’s stallions. The attack involves biting and disemboweling the prey while it is still alive, leading to death from shock and blood loss.
The scavenging component allows hyenas to efficiently utilize the remains of kills made by other predators, primarily lions. Due to their immense bite force and unique digestive system, hyenas crush and consume large bones, skin, and other tough tissues that most other carnivores leave behind. The ratio of hunting versus scavenging is highly variable across Africa, though hyenas are highly effective kleptoparasites, using their numbers to steal carcasses.
The Broader Hyena Diet
The spotted hyena is a generalist feeder, consuming nearly any animal matter it encounters. While large ungulates like wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras form the dietary foundation in many habitats, their diet frequently includes smaller mammals. These smaller prey include warthogs, springbok, and hares, as well as birds, reptiles, and eggs.
Their opportunistic nature extends to feeding on domestic livestock, including sheep and cattle, especially near human settlements. The hyena’s powerful stomach acids allow it to digest almost all organic components of its meal. This ability to process bones and skin, leaving virtually nothing behind, contributes significantly to their ecological success across their range.