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Aardwolf and Hyenas: Hyaenidae

Hyaenids And People

Some African cultures believe hyenas possess magical powers. Others consider hyenas as pests for preying on domestic livestock. The brown hyena is a popular exhibit animal in zoos. In Africa, garbage is left out for the spotted and striped hyenas to eat. Aardwolves are useful to humans for eating termites.

PULLING RANK

Among spotted hyenas, rank is passed on by mothers to their female offspring. In the communal den, a dominant female's cub learns from her mother which clan members she can push around. A dominant female will attack a subordinate female, which encourages her offspring to do the same. After repeated aggressive displays by her mother, the cub starts bullying the offspring of subordinate females. The dominant female participates in the bullying.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceMammalsAardwolf and Hyenas: Hyaenidae - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Hyaenids And People, Spotted Hyena (crocuta Crocuta:): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS