Formative years in hyenas: The long-term impact of growing up in good or tough conditions

Research from Michigan State University reveals that spotted hyenas form mobs based on strong social relationships and can cooperate even when there's no obvious benefit. The study found that female hyenas were more likely to join mobs when there were no male lions present.

A study from the University of Georgia found that lions and hyenas tend to stay near roads with less tourist traffic, particularly during the dry season. The animals often visit waterholes for drinking or hunting, but hyenas may avoid areas with high competition from lions.

Moderately sized groups of hominins may have successfully scavenged carcasses, even competing with giant hyenas, according to a new study. The research suggests that scavenged remains were an important source of meat and fat for early humans.

Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research observed spotted hyenas chasing and devouring flying birds at a waterhole in Namibia. They found that a single hyena can catch one bird every three minutes, adding to the known variety of their diet and hunting tactics.

Researchers found that social status is reflected in epigenetic signatures, including DNA methylation patterns, in juvenile and adult free-ranging spotted hyenas. These patterns are linked to important physiological processes such as energy conversion and immune response.

Human disturbance disrupts leopard-hyena competition, favoring hyenas. The study shows that male leopards retain dominance over hyenas but female leopards change behavior due to size disadvantage. Human expansion poses threat to leopards' survival and ecosystem balance.