From female-led clans to one of the animal kingdom’s strangest anatomies, spotted hyenas are far more unusual than they appear.
Forget the image of the hyena as merely a laughing scavenger.
Inside a spotted hyena clan, the ladies are firmly in charge.
Female spotted hyenas occupy the highest positions in the social hierarchy, and the power gap is remarkable: even the lowest-ranking female generally outranks the highest-ranking male.
In other words, the boys don’t exactly run the show.
The hierarchy runs through the female line
Spotted hyena clans can contain dozens of individuals living within a strict social order. Females dominate that structure, controlling access to important resources and holding the most influential positions.
And there is a family connection to that status.
A female’s rank is strongly influenced by her mother’s position, with daughters typically inheriting a social standing close to that of their mothers.
So for a young female hyena, being born into the right family can make a major difference.
Then comes the anatomy
Female spotted hyenas have another feature that has made them one of the most anatomically unusual mammals on Earth.
They possess an enlarged clitoris that resembles a penis, often referred to as a pseudo-penis. The structure is involved in urination, mating and childbirth.
That unusual anatomy also makes giving birth considerably more difficult than it is for most mammals.
Scientists have studied the feature extensively because it is exceptionally rare among mammals and is closely tied to the species’ unusual reproductive biology.
Not just scavengers
There is another misconception worth clearing up.
Spotted hyenas are highly capable hunters. Although they will scavenge when the opportunity arises, they can actively pursue and kill prey themselves.
Their clans are also remarkably sophisticated societies, with individuals forming relationships, recognizing one another and navigating a complex social ranking system.
So the next time a hyena crosses your screen, remember this:
You’re looking at an animal whose society is dominated by females, whose social rank can run through the maternal line, and whose anatomy is unlike that of almost any other mammal.
