The most fascinating thing about the Spotted Hyenas is their laughing sound that you will encounter during holiday in Uganda. Hyenas always laugh as a way of alerting their family members of a source of food and the sound can be heard of a distance of up to three miles away from where they are.
They are scientifically known as Crocuta crocuta and are considered very skilled hunters and scavengers at the same time. They are the only members of the genus Crocuta that are found in Uganda and other parts of Southern Sahara. They have large and strong jaws that enable them chomp through every part of the prey including the bones, flesh and skin. The only parts of the prey these hyenas don’t consume and digest are the hooves, horns and hair. Even when consumed, you will find them in their pellets.
Spotted Hyenas mainly occupy different landscapes of Uganda including rolling savannah, woodlands and deserts and are nocturnal and rarely spotted during night game drives in the National parks. These animals are threatened due to human-wildlife conflicts which affects their numbers. They are also carnivorous and known to have eaten people and livestock, which is why they are targeted by poachers. Spotted Hyenas was recognized by IUCN as the Least Concerned Wildlife Species due to their wide distribution and their numbers are now estimated at 27,000 to 47,000 much as their numbers are tremendously decreasing due to habitat loss.
They measure 95 to 166 centimeters in length and 70 to 92 centimeters on shoulder height hence making them the largest surviving member of the Hyaenidae and their coats vary with age and also feature spots which is why are relatively shorter with no defined manes. Male spotted hyenas always struggle for dominance whereas the females are responsible for taking care of the young ones as males do not care about them.
These animals are believed to have originated from Asia and were densely populated throughout parts of Europe dating back to one million years ago towards the end of the Pleistocene period. The spotted Hyenas is considered the largest of all the Hyaenidae and its difference from others is identified by vaguely bear-like body appearance, rounded ears, fewer nipples, spotted pelt, the pseudo penis with the females and prominent mane that can be spotted by tourists during safaris in Uganda.
The most fascinating thing about these mammals is that the females do not have external vaginal openings. They mostly stay in large group sizes than the other carnivorous animals (Lions and Leopards). Nonetheless, it should be noted that the large group sizes do not come with cohesiveness but rather immense competition. Accessing food and breeding mates becomes difficult hence the dominant ones are more favored and don’t mind about the young ones because it’s the responsibility of the females to take care of them.
Spotted hyenas are considered successful animals because they have been able to survive in large numbers in Africa and this is mainly attributed to their adaptability and wide range of opportunities. They are capable of hunting and scavenging with the ability of swallowing and digesting the bones, skin and other animal parts excluding hairs. As a result, these animals are considered to make perfect use of the animal matter consumed than the other Carnivores like Lions and Leopards.
Spotted Hyenas occupy the savannah, desert and woodland area and can be spotted from a number of National Parks in Uganda such as Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Queen Elizabeth National park during safaris.
In conclusion, spotted hyenas are fascinating wildlife species that can be encountered within most of Uganda’s Savannah National parks. With their interesting characters and physical appearance, they always appear on every tourist’s bucket-list of attractions to be sighted during safaris.