The brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea), sometimes referred to by its Afrikaans name, “strandwolf,” is a unique and often misunderstood carnivore of Southern Africa. It is the rarest of the hyena species and inhabits a geographically restricted range, primarily centered in the Kalahari Desert, the Namib Desert, and along the region’s coasts. Unlike its more common relative, the spotted hyena, the brown hyena is generally solitary and nocturnal. It is a highly opportunistic feeder, and its specialized diet and behavioral adaptations allow it to thrive in arid and semi-arid environments.
Primary Food Sources
Carrion constitutes the largest and most important component of the brown hyena’s diet, establishing it primarily as a scavenger. They rarely kill large prey, relying instead on finding the remains of animals that have died naturally or were killed by larger predators. A significant portion of their nutrient intake comes from the leftovers of other successful hunters.
The brown hyena is the most omnivorous species in the hyena family, supplementing its meat-based diet with a variety of smaller food items. Actively hunted or captured small vertebrates include rodents, hares, birds, and reptiles. They are also known to consume eggs, particularly those of ground-nesting birds like ostriches.
Insects and invertebrates provide a reliable, seasonal food source, with termites being a regular part of their consumption. During certain seasons, these small creatures can become a major dietary supplement when carrion is scarce. This dietary flexibility is crucial for survival in their harsh desert habitats.
Plant matter, especially wild fruit, is a significant part of the brown hyena’s diet, serving a dual purpose. They consume water-rich desert melons, such as tsamma melons and gemsbok cucumbers, which provide both sustenance and an essential source of hydration. This consumption of water-rich vegetation is a specialized adaptation that allows them to live in areas too dry for many other large carnivores.
Foraging Strategies and Acquisition
The primary strategy for acquiring food is solitary scavenging, which demands extensive nightly travel. Brown hyenas possess an exceptional sense of smell, allowing them to locate a carcass from distances of several kilometers away. They may cover up to 30 to 40 kilometers in a single night, relying on their endurance to find scattered resources across large home ranges.
While large kills are scavenged, the brown hyena actively hunts smaller prey, though hunting success rates are low, with only about 5% of their total food intake coming from animals they kill themselves. This hunting is typically a solitary endeavor, focusing on small, easily overwhelmed animals. Their ability to drive away smaller competitors, such as black-backed jackals, allows them to secure a greater share of available carrion.
Coastal populations, earning the name “strandwolf,” have developed a distinct foraging behavior by exploiting marine resources. Along the Skeleton Coast and other parts of the Namib Desert, their diet is heavily skewed toward food washed up on the beaches, including dead fish and marine mammal carcasses. They also opportunistically prey on vulnerable Cape fur seal pups during the pupping season, which provides a temporary, localized abundance of food.
A strategic behavior observed in brown hyenas is the caching of food, which is a technique for ensuring food security. If a hyena finds a large amount of food, it often carries the excess away and buries it under bushes or in the sand. This prevents other scavengers from taking the meal and allows the hyena to return later to consume the remainder.
Physiological Adaptations for a Scavenging Diet
The brown hyena possesses a powerful skull and specialized dentition that enables it to process materials other carnivores discard. Their strong jaw muscles and robust premolar teeth are adapted for crushing bone, allowing them to access the calorie-rich marrow inside large animal carcasses. This ability maximizes the nutrient yield from scavenged meals.
Their digestive system is uniquely suited to a diet that includes tough and often contaminated materials. The brown hyena’s stomach is highly acidic, which is capable of dissolving bone fragments and neutralizing bacteria found in decaying meat. This physiological trait minimizes the risk of contracting diseases from contaminated carrion.
The hyena’s digestive efficiency extends to processing indigestible materials like hair, hooves, and horns. These keratinous remnants are typically regurgitated as pellets, preventing blockages in the digestive tract. This robust internal system ensures that the brown hyena can utilize almost every part of a carcass.
Their physiology is linked to water conservation, supporting their life in arid habitats. While they are not dependent on surface water, the ability to consume water-rich fruits like desert melons complements their efficient metabolism. This combination allows the brown hyena to maintain hydration and nutrient levels where resources are scarce.