Spotted Hyenas

Tanzania  2017.  Hyenas playing in the water.    We were amazed that they played,  we thought they were just mean and fought all the time.

Tanzania 2017 .  Hyenas sometimes  follow Cheetahs,  waiting for the Cheetah to make a kill so they can steal it.  Usually they don't wait this close.

The Hyena is really spoiling this Cheetahs day.  Spotted Hyenas are skilled hunters, not only scavengers, but prey was scarce so the Hyena will take any opportunity.

Kenya 2019   Hyena nursing in the middle of the road. 

Tanzania 2021   This is the first photo I took , right as we entered the Serengeti.  Female Hyenas  are large and in charge.  This means they dominate the clan and rank higher than male hyenas. To rank highly means to gain access to food first and to be able to choose which animal to mate with. Females can not be mated without their permission, so they choose who to mate with and will typically choose  low ranking males from other clans to expand genetic diversity. 

Tanzania 2021   Hyenas at a kill.

Tanzania 2021  Namiri Plains  We were driving back to the lodge and this Mother and cub were standing on the edge of the road.  We stopped and watched as she carried her cub to her den.  This was the first young cub that I had ever seen and   one of my all time favorite  sightings.

Tanzania 2021   I told our guide William, that I was so excited that we had seen a Hyena mother and cub at Namiri Plains and  he said "There is a den near here" so we went straight there and spent time at the den.  Now I am obsessed by Hyenas.

Tanzania 2021