The hyena family, Hyaenidae, consists of four distinct species, each with a unique approach to securing sustenance. The popular image of the hyena as a mere cowardly scavenger is inaccurate and fails to capture the complexity of their diets and hunting strategies. While all hyena species are opportunistic, their reliance on actively hunting versus scavenging varies dramatically based on the species and its habitat. The dietary habits of the spotted, striped, brown, and aardwolf hyenas differ greatly, allowing them to occupy specialized ecological niches across their range.
Primary Targets of Cooperative Hunts
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a highly efficient predator, with the majority of its food, often between 60% and 90%, coming from active kills rather than carrion. They are known for their sophisticated, cooperative hunting strategies, which allow them to take down prey far larger than themselves. Spotted hyenas primarily target medium to large ungulates, which are herd animals like wildebeest, zebra, and various species of antelope.
The hunting technique relies heavily on endurance and teamwork, as groups work together to isolate an individual from the herd. Hyenas are cursorial hunters, using their stamina to chase prey at speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour until the animal is exhausted. While they often target vulnerable individuals, such as the young, old, or injured, a large clan is capable of overpowering healthy adult zebra, Cape buffalo, and even young rhinoceros.
Scavenging and the Role of Bone Crushing
Despite their prowess as hunters, the spotted hyena remains a highly effective scavenger, demonstrating an adaptability that contributes to its success in the ecosystem. This opportunistic behavior includes kleptoparasitism, where they use their numbers to intimidate and steal kills from other apex predators like lions and cheetahs.
The hyena’s famous bone-crushing ability is facilitated by massive jaws and powerful premolar teeth that generate immense bite force. This strength allows them to pulverize and consume large bones, including those of elephants and rhinos, accessing the nutrient-rich bone marrow that other predators must leave behind. Their digestive system is adapted to this unique diet, containing highly acidic fluids that dissolve the organic components of the bone. The only materials generally indigestible are hair, horns, and hooves.
Specialized Diets of Other Hyena Species
The remaining members of the Hyaenidae family show a remarkable divergence in diet, far removed from the large-game hunting of the spotted hyena. The brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) is almost exclusively a scavenger, with active hunting making up less than 5% of its food intake. This species is highly omnivorous, supplementing its diet of carrion with insects, bird eggs, and wild fruits, such as tsama and gemsbok melons, which provide hydration in arid environments. Along the coastlines, the brown hyena, sometimes called “strandwolf,” scavenges marine detritus, including dead fish and seal pup carcasses.
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), found across North Africa, the Middle East, and India, is a solitary generalist that primarily relies on carrion. Its diet is one of the most varied among the hyenas. They actively hunt smaller prey, such as rodents, hares, and ground-dwelling birds, and are known to take wild ungulate fawns or calves. A notable feature of their diet is the consumption of vegetative matter, including fruits and cultivated crops like dates, melons, and cucumbers.
The smallest hyena, the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus), is almost entirely insectivorous. Its survival hinges on a single food source: termites, which it consumes in staggering quantities, up to 300,000 individuals in a single night. Unlike its cousins, the aardwolf does not have bone-crushing jaws, possessing only small, peg-like cheek teeth. Instead of destroying termite mounds, the aardwolf uses a long, sticky tongue to lap up termites from the surface, allowing the colony to recover and ensuring a sustainable food supply.