The Cackling Creature of the Kruger
The Hyena is definitely one of the most characteristic creatures of the African savannah and was long thought to be only a scavenging animal and never hunted for food. The Hyena is a very efficient and dangerous hunter that delivers a terrifying presence when traveling with its pack. Because of the Hyena’s strange body stature, it has a very interesting way of walking that is almost ungainly and combined with one of the most iconic, and unnerving, calls in the Kruger, there is no doubt that the Hyena will send chills down your spine. The Spotted Hyena has a macabre laugh or cackle which fills the air at night. The coat colour of the Hyena, paired with its black spots, provide perfect camouflage in the gras as they almost seamlessly blend into the landscape. Males are a bit larger and heavier than the females, weighing in at 70kg and 60kg respectively. Their forelegs are slightly longer than the hind legs and its neck is also much longer than most animals, giving it a hunched appearance.
Hyenas are considered the most efficient carnivores in the Kruger National Park, according to some. For years many people thought that the Hyena is a cowardly animal until detailed field research discovered that the Hyena is a powerful, intimidating and efficient hunter. These animals are so powerful and intimidating that they can chase lions away from their kills, but only when in a pack. Hyenas can easily chase down their prey as they have a top speed of 60km/h and can maintain this speed for 3km before having do slow down to take a breath. Many effective hunters like cheetahs, lions and leopards would think twice before taking on large prey like buffalo, gemsbok and eland but when a pack of Spotted Hyenas are out hunting, they can easily and efficiently kill these animals.
Hyenas are non-seasonal breeders that can give birth any time throughout the year and have a short gestation period of 4 months. Usually two young are born in a single litter with cubs weighing in at 3 pounds. The cubs aren’t at all weaned for 12 – 7 months as they receive enough nourishment from their mother’s milk. Cubs are all raised in communal dens but aren’t protected by members of the clan. Males have no parental role and are not allowed near the dens, aside from a few privileged members
