Carnivores

Spotted Hyena Social Intelligence and Clan Life

Spotted hyenas live in complex matriarchal societies and show remarkable cognitive abilities rivaling those of great apes.

Key Facts

Hyena clans can have up to 80 members led by females
They use sophisticated vocalizations including the famous laugh to communicate
Hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs despite appearances
Spotted hyenas have the strongest jaws of any land mammal relative to body size

Welfare Considerations

Hyenas face persecution due to misunderstanding and cultural stigma. They are killed as pests, trapped for traditional medicine, and lose habitat to agriculture. Their complex social bonds mean that disrupting a clan has cascading welfare impacts across all members.

What You Can Do

Support organizations working to change negative perceptions of hyenas
Avoid products containing wildlife ingredients
Advocate for science-based wildlife management policies
Learn and share accurate information about hyena ecology