Hyenas are fascinating mammals, known for their distinctive and often eerie sounds that echo across the African savannas. These highly social animals possess a sophisticated vocal communication system, allowing them to convey a wide range of information within their complex clans. While their calls are frequently associated with a peculiar “laugh,” this sound is just one part of a diverse soundscape used for intricate social interactions. Understanding their vocalizations provides insight into their behavior and the dynamics of their groups.
The Hyena’s Vocal Repertoire
Spotted hyenas, the most vocal of their kind, produce a variety of distinct sounds. The “whoop” is a loud, musical call that typically begins with a low tone before modulating up and down in pitch. This impressive vocalization can travel remarkable distances, heard up to five kilometers away across open terrain. Another well-known sound is the “giggle,” a high-pitched, staccato series of sounds, often likened to human laughter, characterized by a rapid “hee-hee-hee” pattern.
Hyenas also employ a range of other vocalizations:
Grunts: Soft, short growls lasting a few seconds.
Groans: Similar to grunts but higher pitched, often with an “ooo” sound.
Whines: Loud, rapid calls with “eeee” tones.
Squeals: Soft calls, similar to whines but less staccato.
Growls: Rattling sounds with “aa” and “oh” tones.
Yells: High-pitched sounds lasting a few seconds.
Decoding Hyena Communication
Each of the many sounds produced by spotted hyenas serves a specific communicative function within their social structures. The far-reaching “whoop” is an important long-distance communication tool, used to announce an individual’s presence, gather scattered clan members, or coordinate group activities. Each hyena’s “whoop” is unique, allowing for individual recognition, and new males might “whoop” frequently to signal their arrival to a new clan.
The “giggle,” despite its human-like quality, does not indicate amusement; instead, it typically signals stress, excitement, nervousness, or frustration. This high-pitched vocalization is often heard when hyenas are fleeing an attack, are in submission to a dominant individual, or are frustrated while competing for food at a kill. The pitch of a hyena’s “giggle” can also convey information about its age or social status, with subordinate individuals often producing higher-pitched sounds.
Other vocalizations contribute to the intricate social fabric of a hyena clan:
Grunts: Serve as a warning to an unwanted hyena.
Groans: Used during friendly meetings between individuals or when a mother calls her cubs from their den.
Whines: Commonly made by cubs seeking food or nursing.
Squeals: Often heard during greetings between adults or cubs.
Growls: Typically precede an attack or act as a warning.
Yells: Emitted when a hyena is bitten or injured.
Beyond the Spotted Hyena
While the spotted hyena is renowned for its diverse vocalizations, other hyena species also communicate through sound, though often less frequently. The striped hyena, for instance, is considerably more silent than its spotted cousin. Its vocal repertoire is less varied, typically limited to sounds such as chattering, howling, and growling. A low, hair-raising growl is a notable sound used by striped hyenas when facing rivals or attempting to intimidate an enemy.
Brown hyenas produce a range of guttural, raspy, and eerie vocalizations, including growls, whoops, moans, and screeches. The aardwolf, another member of the hyena family, communicates using barks, roars, and clucking sounds. These different vocal styles reflect variations in their social structures and hunting strategies, as the more solitary species have less need for the complex, constant vocal interaction seen in spotted hyenas.