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Hyena
Hyenas are cunning, resourceful, bear-like animals with long limbs, high shoulders and a sturdy build.
Hyenas are part of a family of mammals that make up an order of carnivores; this family consists of four species – the Striped Hyena, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, and the Aardwolf – and they are native to both Asia and Africa. With the exception of the Striped Hyena, most modern Hyena species are now likely to be found in arid environments like African deserts.
The Kruger National Park is home to the spotted Hyena and as it is a renowned predator with razor-sharp teeth, visitors to the park must be vigilant in their presence. All hyenas tend to have a bear-like gait/walk due to their front legs being longer than their hind legs and their physical resemblance is close to that of a family that consists of mongooses and meerkats. Hyenas, in particular the spotted hyenas, are very intelligent animals; an indication of this is that they will move their killed prey closer together to protect them from scavengers. Dispelling the myths of unintelligent, simple-minded hyenas displayed in popular cultures, Hyenas are actually known for their intellectual capacity which is borne out in their strategic and cunning hunting methods.
During one of the Kruger Park’s legendary game-drives, visitors may experience the unique privilege of watching these creatures stalk and capture their prey. An unusual fact about hyenas are that the females have protruding anatomy through which they urinate, copulate, and give birth; this unusual disposition also allows the female a complete say over which male can mate with her. Because of this, biologists have speculated that hyenas have a matriarchal social structure, where the female dominates the male; this is in everyone’s best interests as the male does not assist at all with rearing the cubs. Culturally speaking hyenas are viewed in a negative light; because of their reputation to scavenge even graves and their abilities to devour every part of a carcass including bone, these animals have been associated with gluttony, un-cleanliness, and cowardice.