Hyenas are highly adapted carnivores found across various African landscapes. They possess complex social structures and intelligent behaviors, thriving in diverse environments. Hyenas are skilled hunters, capable of taking down large prey, and their “laughing” sounds are a form of communication. Their survival strategies include specific resting behaviors and choices of resting places.
Primary Resting Places
Hyenas use various locations for resting and sleeping, depending on their species, age, and immediate needs. Adult spotted hyenas frequently seek refuge in natural shelters such as holes, shallow pools, or beneath bushes and scrubs for shade. They may also rest in tall grasses or among rock formations, blending into their surroundings. Adult hyenas rarely dig extensive dens, but readily use existing structures.
Dens are important for mothers and their young. Female hyenas initially give birth in secluded “natal dens,” which are isolated from the main clan. After a few weeks, typically when cubs are two to six weeks old, mothers move their litters to “communal dens.” These communal dens are often abandoned burrows of other animals, such as aardvarks or warthogs, or natural rock crevices and caves. Striped hyenas also show a preference for rocky refugia and burrows, especially on mountain slopes, often near water sources.
Factors Influencing Resting Choices
Several environmental and social factors influence a hyena’s choice of resting spot. Safety and protection are primary considerations. Dens offer shelter from predators like lions and rival hyena clans, particularly for vulnerable cubs. Adults also select resting sites that minimize their detection by potential competitors.
Temperature regulation plays a significant role in where hyenas choose to rest. They actively seek shade during the day to avoid overheating, and may even sit in water or mud to cool their bodies, especially after consuming a large meal which can elevate their internal temperature. Proximity to resources, such as water sources, can also factor into den and resting site selection, though hyenas possess a remarkable ability to survive on minimal water. Clan dynamics and the presence of young influence resting patterns, with communal dens serving as central gathering points for multiple mothers and their offspring.
Resting Habits and Social Dynamics
Hyenas are primarily nocturnal; hunting and social activities primarily occur at night. During the day, they rest to conserve energy, particularly during the hottest hours. While individuals may rest alone, hyenas, especially spotted hyenas, often rest in groups, reflecting their fission-fusion social structure.
Communal dens serve as social hubs where multiple mothers raise cubs together in “crèches.” Adults may rest outside while mothers guard their young inside the den. Resting periods also offer opportunities for social bonding, with hyenas engaging in grooming and greeting to reinforce clan relationships. External factors, such as human disturbance, can affect activity patterns, leading to reduced activity or more vigilant resting behaviors.