WHY DO HYENAS LAUGH?
Dear readers, you and I have something in common. We both HATE these hyenas from the lion king!!
But why though? :/
We all have this mental picture in our mind where we perceive hyenas as smelly, good for nothing scavengers. Maybe due to their wild jaws, shrewd chasing strategies, or nocturnal nature, spotted hyenas have evil notorieties.
Certain clans in eastern Africa accepted hyenas are possessed and ridden by witches. Any youngster with an inclination for Disney motion pictures winced in dread when the threatening pack circumnavigated our darling Simba. Like a wolf's cry, a hyena's giggle puncturing the air could send a shudder up our spine.
One would believe that the world could be better off without them but this is not even close to the actual truth! Hyenas are highly intelligent species and they are surprisingly friendly.
But wait...Did you know that there were actually 4 species of hyenas?
That's right! We have the spotted hyena, the brown hyena, the striped hyena, and the aardwolf
Now note this: Not every hyena laughs! Among the four species of hyenas, only the spotted hyenas ‘laugh.’ So, let's limit this blog to spotted hyenas, shall we?
Over time, these amazing creatures have developed a board range of vocalization that aids their extraordinary social behavior.
For instance, from the moment they are born, hyena cubs use a noise called 'squitter' to communicate with the mother.
The most famous sound produced by hyenas is the 'giggle' which is where they get the name "Laughing hyenas". But hyenas do not make this sound very often and there is absolutely nothing funny about their giggle. The hyenas often laugh or giggle when they are highly stressed or sense some sort of danger for e.g. when they are close to their arch enemies like the lion.
While feeding, hyenas may paw and nip at one another with the goal of getting a significant piece of meat. That forceful conduct instigates the laughter like upheavals that we associate with the spotted hyena. So, the giggle basically represents their anxiousness over the competition, fear of getting beaten up, or not getting access to food.
Did you know that hyenas use sounds to recognize each member of their clan and to distinguish their members from intruders? Apart from their giggle, they have a more significant sound the 'whoop'. Every hyena has an individual whoop with a unique sound pattern! To put it in simpler words, the whoop of each hyena is the equivalent to names we humans use. The whoop is used by hyenas to keep track of their members and coordinate movements during hunting.
Hyenas are highly territorial animals. If hyenas from a different territory approach them, they can recognize the intruders by listening to their whoop. Amazing right? I can't even remember birthdays as well as they can remember the sound of each other's whoops!
FUN FACT: When hyenas capture prey, the males are normally the last to eat and the most bullied around the carcass. When males arrive at sexual development at around 2 years of age, they get away from their clan looking for another one.
Source: Smithsonian channel
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You didn't mention their bite force....but then again this article is about their vocalizations...
ReplyDeleteYou said it!! I was focusing on their vocalizations! But thankyou for pointing that out. Your comments make this space better!
DeleteAmazing facts re
ReplyDelete.... Learn so much from your blogs... Keep writing
I'm so glad you like them! *teary eyes*
ReplyDelete