spotted hyena
Africa's cackling scavenger
The spotted hyena is a large carnivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, distinguished by its tan coat with dark spots and sloping back.
Despite resembling dogs, hyenas are more closely related to cats.
Spotted hyenas live in complex social groups led by females, communicate through distinctive whooping calls and "laughter," and are powerful hunters—not merely scavengers as commonly assumed: We heard spotted hyenas calling across the savanna at dusk.
Female family leader
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- matrilinealDescended through maternal line
- alpha femaleDominant woman in group
social structure · territory · group hunting · coalition · kinship · alliances · clan wars · dispersal
Creature eating only animals
- mammalWarm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- gestationCarrying offspring in womb
- lactationMammary gland secretion
- cubsYoung wild mammal offspring
dentition · nocturnal · crepuscular · giggling · scent marking · anal gland
Putrefying animal remains
- carcassSlaughtered animal's body
- opportunistOne exploiting circumstances
- marrowSoft bone interior
- vultureCarrion-eating raptor
Addressing challenges methodically
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
- strategicDeliberately planned for advantage
- observantNoticing things readily
resourceful · social learning · communication · memory · cooperation · deception · trial-and-error · innovative
Treeless herb-covered ecosystem
- SerengetiTanzanian ecosystem of grasslands
- KrugerBoer statesman's surname
- acaciaThorny warm-climate shrub
- waterholeNatural animal drinking source
migration · wildebeest · zebra · drought · rainy season · kopje · termite mound · African plains
Pursuing wild game
- pack huntingPredators coordinating their kills
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- wildebeestLarge African grazing antelope
zebra · gazelle · ambush · nocturnal hunter · chasing · endurance · takedown
matriarch
Female family leader
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- matrilinealDescended through maternal line
alpha female · social structure · territory · group hunting · coalition · kinship · alliances · clan wars · dispersal · subordinate
carnivore
Creature eating only animals
- mammalWarm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- gestationCarrying offspring in womb
- lactationMammary gland secretion
cubs · dentition · nocturnal · crepuscular · giggling · scent marking · anal gland
carrion
Putrefying animal remains
- carcassSlaughtered animal's body
- opportunistOne exploiting circumstances
- marrowSoft bone interior
vulture · jackal · leftovers · roadkill · remains · horns · hooves
problem-solving
Addressing challenges methodically
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
- strategicDeliberately planned for advantage
observant · resourceful · social learning · communication · memory · cooperation · deception · trial-and-error · innovative · flexible
grassland
Treeless herb-covered ecosystem
- SerengetiTanzanian ecosystem of grasslands
- KrugerBoer statesman's surname
- acaciaThorny warm-climate shrub
waterhole · migration · wildebeest · zebra · drought · rainy season · kopje · termite mound · African plains · territory
hunting
Pursuing wild game
- pack huntingPredators coordinating their kills
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
wildebeest · zebra · gazelle · ambush · nocturnal hunter · chasing · endurance · takedown
spotted hyenawildebeest
Large African grazing antelope
zebra · gazelle · African buffalo · antelope · impala
spotted hyenaleopard
Spotted African wild cat
cheetah · solitary hunter · ambush predator · lone wolf · tiger
spotted hyenalion
Maned African feline
African lion · king of beasts · wolf · eagle · tiger
spot, spotted, spots, spotty, spotting, hyena, hyenas, unspotted, hyaena