Erzsebet Frey

Although often considered scavengers, Spotted
[hyenas](https://simplyecologist.com/facts-about-the-hyena/) are
efficient and flexible hunters. They prefer prey within a body mass
range of 56--182 kg (with a mode of 102 kg), a dietary niche breadth
similar, but not identical, to that of the
[Lion](https://simplyecologist.com/interesting-facts-about-the-lion/).
In Kruger N. P., the most important prey items are the Wildbeast
*Connochaetes taurinus, African Buffalo Syncerus caffer, Plains
[Zebra](https://simplyecologist.com/funny-facts-about-zebras/) Equus
quagga, Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros,* and Impala *Aepyceros
melampus*; preferred prey are all resident herbivores, namely the
Impala, Greater Kudu, and Common Warthog *Phacochoerus africanus* .

In the Namib Desert, Gemsboks Oryx gazella made up more than 80% of the
diet and in Etosha N. P. Springboks were most commonly hunted. In the
Kalahari, the principal prey is Gemsboks (the most common resident
herbivore), Common Wildebeests, and Springboks, followed by Common Eland
*Tragelaphus oryx* and Hartebeest *Alcelaphus buselaphus calves* . In
Chobe, they principally hunt migratory Plains
[Zebras](https://simplyecologist.com/funny-facts-about-zebras/) and
resident Impalas.

In the Serengeti ecosystem and the Ngorongoro Crater, Spotted Hyaenas
primarily hunt Common Wildebeests, Thomson's Gazelles *Eudorcas
thomsonii* and Plains Zebras. In its northern extension in the Masai
Mara, they feed mainly on Topis *Damaliscus lunatus* and Thomson's
Gazelles when migratory species are absent. Upon the arrival of the
migratory herds from the Serengeti N. P., they switched to feeding on
Common Wildebeests for about three months, until the migratory animals
return to the Serengeti N. P.

In the Aberdare Mts (Kenya) the dominant prey items are Bushbucks
*Tragelaphus scriptus*, Sunis *Nesotragus moschatus* and African
Buffalo. The diet of Spotted Hyaenas in West and Central Africa is less
well known. In Niokolo-Koba N. P., Senegal, they feed mostly on large
and medium-sized ungulates, with African Buffalo the most frequently
consumed prey species; Hartebeests and Common Warthogs were also eaten
more often than expected. In contrast, in Faro N. P., N Cameroon, mainly
medium-sized prey were taken, with the main prey being Buffon's Kobs
Kobus kob, the most abundant prey species in the area.

Spotted Hyaenas are opportunistic, occasionally taking larger prey such
as [Giraffe](https://simplyecologist.com/how-much-does-giraffe-weigh/)*s
Giraffa camelopardalis*, juveniles of Common Hippopotamus *Hippopotamus
amphibius*, Savanna Elephants *Loxodonta africana* and White
Rhinoceroses *Ceratotherium simum.* They also consume a wide range of
small mammal prey, including small carnivores and rodents up to the size
of springhares *Pedetes spp*., as well as other vertebrate prey (such as
birds, fish, reptiles), insects, crabs, snails, Ostrich *Struthio
camelus eggs,* fruits and the feces of herbivores, carnivores and
omnivores.

Despite being a highly social carnivore that may live in large groups,
individuals hunt mostly on their own or in small groups, although one
case of mass killings of Thomson's Gazelles by a group of 19 was
recorded in East Africa. Prey is detected by sight, hearing, and odor,
and carrion by smell, the noise of other carnivores feeding, or
observing vultures descending on a carcass.

Adult solitary Spotted Hyaenas of around 5--6 years of age can be very
efficient hunters, and, in the Masai Mara, are responsible for over 75%
of hunting attempts on Common Wildebeest and Topi.

Spotted Hyaenas are active mostly at night, dawn and dusk, but can
forage at any time during the day. During hunts, prey may be chased over
several kilometers, the longest recorded chase was 24 km in pursuit of a
Common Eland at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Spotted Hyaenas have been
observed to drown prey, such as Southern Lechwe *Kobus leche*.

Average adult daily food consumption is estimated at 2.0--4.0 kg/ day.
An adult Spotted Hyaena can consume approximately 18 kg in one meal,
equal to up to one-third of adult body mass. They are rapid feeders, an
adaptation to strong feeding competition with conspecifics and
[Lions](https://simplyecologist.com/interesting-facts-about-the-lion/).

Spotted Hyaenas may travel long distances (30--80 km) in search of prey
or water. In Etosha N. P., migratory movements of main prey species
(Springbok, Plains Zebra, Common Wildebeest) to the north-west at the
start of the wet season results in a considerable decline in prey
density. In response, clans in areas of low prey density follow the
migratory herds, thus shifting their activities to the wet season range
of the migratory herbivores.

In contrast, Spotted Hyenas in Serengeti N. P. leave their clan
territory on frequent short-term, long-distance (80--140 km return
distance) foraging trips (termed commuting trips) to areas containing
high densities of migratory herbivores. Low-ranking group members
commute more often than socially dominant members. These trips last on
average three days for lactating and 9--10 days for non-lactating. Some
46--62% of the year is spent foraging by commuting between the clan's
territory and herds of migratory prey.

Animals in transit through an area are usually ignored, whereas
commuters at food resources are attacked if they fail to submit to
residents. The Spotted Hyaena is an efficient scavenger of carrion,
including the killing of other Spotted Hyaenas and other carnivores like
Lions.

Spotted Hyaenas obtained most of their annual intake from hunting rather
than scavenging. It is also an effective kleptoparasite on other
carnivores. The proportion of its diet derived from or lost to other
predators varies between ecosystems. Lions usually displace Spotted
Hyaenas at kills, unless Spotted Hyaena group size is large and male
Lions are absent.

In some areas, Spotted Hyenas can kill domestic livestock, domestic
cats, domestic dogs, and people. In some areas, spotted hyenas were used
or relied upon to dispose of human corpses. Assemblages of bones are
often found at Spotted Hyaena communal dens where all clan offspring are
placed, although not to the same degree as in the Brown Hyaena or the
Striped Hyaena, because Spotted Hyaenas infrequently carry food back to
their young. A variety of items, mostly long bones or skulls of medium-
to large-sized ungulates, have been found in dens; bone assemblages tend
to reflect the ungulate fauna in an area.


Although often considered scavengers, Spotted hyenas are efficient and flexible hunters. They prefer prey within a body mass range of 56–182 kg (with a mode of 102 kg), a dietary niche breadth similar, but not identical, to that of the Lion.

What do Spotted Hyena eat?

Endemic to Africa, south of the Sahara, although formerly with a
geographic range across almost all of Africa and Eurasia. Current
distribution is more patchy, especially in West Africa, with populations
often concentrated in protected areas, of Chad, Central African
Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Angola,
and some parts of South Africa.

It is reported that the
[species](https://simplyecologist.com/how-do-ecologists-study-species/)
is extinct in Algeria, where it may have occurred in the Ahaggar and
Tassili d'Ajjer, although it is noted that continued presence in the
southernmost regions is not impossible.

There are no recent records from Djibouti, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia and
Togo. Since then Künzel et al. (2000) have confirmed that Spotted
Hyaenas are still widespread, albeit in small numbers, in Djibouti,
(1998) noted the same for Gambia, images of a single Spotted Hyaena
inside Ivindo N. P., a
[rainforest](https://simplyecologist.com/what-do-bengal-tigers-eat-in-the-tropical-rainforest/)
site in Gabon, were recorded in 2003 where the species had not been
recorded since around 1950, and Spotted Hyaenas were reported from
Eritrea.

There is no confirmed evidence of their occurrence in Egypt, Liberia, or
Lesotho.

Present in all habitats including semi-desert, savanna, and open forest,
dense dry forest, and montane habitats, such as the Aberdares, Mount
Kenya, and the Ethiopian highlands, up to 4100 m altitude.

It is absent from or occurs at very low densities in, extreme
[desert](https://simplyecologist.com/adaptations-of-animals-and-plants-in-the-desert/)
conditions,
[high](https://simplyecologist.com/how-high-can-gorillas-jump/)
mountains, and tropical rainforests, although they can make deep inroads
into forested areas where logging roads provide access.

In prime habitats, densities of Spotted Hyaenas are higher than those of
other large carnivores.

Although
[long](https://simplyecologist.com/why-do-rabbits-have-long-ears/)
periods may elapse between drinks, spotted
[hyenas](https://simplyecologist.com/facts-about-the-hyena/) are
dependent on water, and recorded an instance where a clan dispersed
after the only water source within their reach has dried up.


Endemic to Africa, south of the Sahara, although formerly with a geographic range across almost all of Africa and Eurasia. Current distribution is more patchy, especially in West Africa, with populations often concentrated in protected areas, of Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, and some parts of South Africa.

Messaggi di Rogue Scholar

What do Spotted Hyena eat?

Where does the spotted hyena live?