Do hyenas hunt more than we give them credit for? The short answer is yes.
There is no denying that hyenas are excellent scavengers, and in an ecosystem where they outrank all predators except lions (unless numbers are on their side), it makes perfect sense for them to take advantage of a quick, easy meal when predators are abundant. However, this reputation often overshadows just how capable they are as hunters in their own right.
A clan of hyenas finished the remains of an impala ram during the early hours of the morning. With no obvious sign of a leopard in the area, could this ram have been hunted by them?
Night-time is their preferred hunting period. Their specialised eyesight allows them to see exceptionally well in low-light conditions, giving them a distinct advantage after dark. At this time of year, impala lambs are often hidden beneath bushes during the night, making them particularly vulnerable. Hyenas will move methodically from bush to bush, checking for any unsuspecting young.
Where numbers count. This clan of hyenas managed to chase off this lioness
When hunting in small groups, hyenas may also target herds of animals such as impala. Their unique body structure and endurance allow them to cause confusion within a herd and maintain sustained running speeds over long distances. I have witnessed this behaviour with both wildebeest calves and impala, where at least three hyenas would run full speed at a herd of impala or wildebeest, which causes them to scatter, and they will continuously try to catch one as they dart off in all directions — but a recent sighting revealed something even more striking.
A leopard watches a nearby hyena finish off the remains of its kill before attempting to steal it back
We were driving through the open grasslands on our way back to camp one morning when, just over a crest, three hyenas came into view chasing a subadult zebra across the savanna. They had flanked the zebra from behind, repeatedly nipping at its legs. The zebra appeared noticeably fatigued as the hyenas continued to pursue it into an area that was inaccessible to us. I only managed to capture a short video of this, but as you can imagine, throughout the day, I couldn’t help but wonder if the hyenas had succeeded in catching this isolated zebra.
Later that afternoon, we returned to the same area and found that the three hyenas had indeed killed the zebra and stashed the carcass in a waterhole. It is not uncommon for hyenas to use waterholes to their advantage — either by driving prey towards them or by storing carcasses in water for later consumption. In this particular sighting, it is difficult to say exactly how the hunt unfolded, but it certainly prompted me to reconsider just how effective hyenas are as hunters.
The aftermath. Certainly, the same hyenas and zebra that we had seen that morning, we say this because of the proximity of where we found them in relation to where they were seen that morning. Due to the open area, the vultures were quick to spot an easy meal themselves.
One final thought: their ability to consume food rapidly and digest almost every part of a carcass may also contribute to the misconception that they hunt less than they do. A well-fed hyena seen in the early morning gives little indication of what it has eaten or how it acquired its meal during the night. It is therefore entirely possible that hyenas hunt far more frequently than we realise, simply leaving little evidence behind by the time daylight returns.
A few members of the pack watch on as several hyenas dive into a feeding frenzy.
While scavenging undoubtedly plays an important role in their survival, this behaviour should not detract from the fact that hyenas are highly capable and efficient hunters. Their endurance, adaptability, and opportunistic use of the landscape make them one of the most successful predators in this ecosystem — and an essential component of its balance.
Thanks for this post – the misconception that hyenas are “skulky” scavengers only is widespread. I spent several weeks in late 2024 observing hyenas in Pafuri, where other large predators are scarce but hyenas are not – so where would they be scavenging from? so many other fascinating facets to their biology as well! I wrote about my experiences on Substack for those who are interested (search “Hyenas of Pafuri”).
Insightful article, Kirst. I admit to having viewed hyenas only as scavengers. It’s interesting to think of them as having another behavior although it surely makes a lot of sense. Thanks for adding new information about an often misunderstood animal.
Hyenas are often maligned as the worst scavengers, especially when it comes to leopard and cheetah kills, so thank you for this informative blog that clearly proves that they are very capable hunters and do so most often under the cover of night. Once in a while, in the middle of the night during a visit, I’m awakened by the cacophony of hyena whoops and wonder if they made a kill – now I feel more certain that they probably did. Thanks for the terrific accompanying photos and videos.
Hi Kirst, they certainly do hunt more than we can see. I just get so upset seeing them steal the leopards and Cheetahs kill before they could even start feeding on their kill. Scavengers they are forsure and they leave nothing behind, which I return is good that there will not be any maggots or bones left. They also do have lots of energy to keep on hunting until they get there kill.
Thanks for this great blog on hyenas and their hunting ability.
Strength in numbers, so as a pack they can be very successful.
What I always wonder about is that they manage to steal prey from e.g. a leopard even when they are alone.