Why a Website for hyenas?

Wolves have plenty of sites on the Web. Hyenas are at least as interesting as wolves. But in 1995, I looked in vain for hyena info on the Web, so I created some.

Until the last thirty years, spotted hyenas were misunderstood. Scientists thought they were cowardly scavengers (they kill most of their own food, and can take a carcass from a whole pride of lionesses). Male dominance was supposed to be a law of nature (spotted hyenas, like a lot of animals, are female-dominant). They were of little interest to zoologists (actually, they raise interesting, important questions) For me, spotted hyenas are a bit like Baba Yaga in Russian folklore -- ugly, frightening, powerful, strangely attractive. And like Baba Yaga, the Wild Old Woman or Hag, they have important things to teach us -- about why mammals become social in the first place, the reasons for male and female dominance in different species, even how sex hormones work.

Note to readers: Before you email me your questions, please check the links to other sites below and look at some books in a library, such as Walker's Mammals of the World or Grzmek's Animal Encyclopedia. Remember to ask your librarian about the Zoological Index as well, so you can look up scientific papers. In other words, do a little research on your own. I'm not truly a scientifically accredited hyena expert, I just run a Web site on the beasties.

Other Sites

• NEW! Want to see spotted hyenas almost live, in their natural habitat? Go to AfriCam and look through any one of their Webcams of watering holes in several South African parks. You might catch a glimpse of a hyena, especially at Satari Cam after dark.
• NEW! Hyena Pictures
• NEW! Lioncrusher's Domain has additional info on all four species of hyenas, not to mention on other carnivores you don't often see on the Net.
• NEW! Her English is just the pits, but Amanda Andersson has bunches of stuff on striped hyenas. Check out that cute hyena in the snow! Warning: not all links are working yet.
• Wanna buy some hyena paintings? WildNet Africa has two -- of an aardwolf and of a small band of spotted hyenas.
• The University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web has more information on hyenas in general, plus specifics on three of the four species of hyenas.
• This page has more great information on spotted hyenas, from the Safari Companion.
• An interesting article on the bizarre spotted hyena birth process.
• Alari's Web site appears to be gone. I'll try to find out what has happened and if it's yet up elsewhere.
• Crocuta is a bio student who also loves hyenas.
• Diane C. Ross also likes hyenas and has some photos and comments.
• Back to African Animals seen on the Southern Cross Safari...

Last link check August 13, 1999.