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NATURAL HISTORY
Hyenas: Target of Myths and Legends
One of the most heavily vilified and sometimes
reviled mammals in Africa, the hyena is a unique
animal. But it is heavily reviled due to several
myths borne of human ignorance.
First, they are said to be hybrids between cats and
dogs. It is for this reason they were excluded from
Sir Walter Raleigh's list of animals in the Noah's
ark since he believed God saved only thoroughbreds!
The second myth is that hyenas are hermaphrodites.
This myth is borne of the fact that hyenas have no
palpable sexual dimorphism; that is female
reproductive organs (the feature mostly relied on to
sex animals) resemble those of the male making the
two sexes virtually indistinguishable. The clitoris
in females is enlarged and extended to form an organ
of the same size, shape and position as the male
penis and can also be erected! Their labia have
folded up and fused top form a false scrotum that is
not discernibly different in external form or
location from the true scrotum of males. It even
contains fatty tissue forming two swellings easily
mistaken for testicles.
It is because of these many myths about hyenas that
the animal came to acquire such a lowly status among
humans. In a discussion on "Hyenas Myth and
Realities" 3 decades ago, a prominent naturalist,
Jay Gould, once remarked: "I freely admit that
the hyena is not the loveliest animal to behold.
Still, it scarcely deserved the poor reputation
imposed upon it by our forefathers!" We cannot
agree more; hate them or like them; hyenas play a
very significant role in ecosystem functions in
African savannas.
Ecological Health
Ecologically hyenas play a very vital role in the
savannah ecosystems, which they inhabit. Like
several other African carnivores, hyenas are
important for the health of hoofed animal
populations by cropping out the weak and sickly as
prey items. Their predation helps to keep the
balance between these herds and their food resources
as well as eliminate weak genes in the population.
It is quite ironical that the very animal
associated with ill health is actually one of the
key agents of ecosystem health!!
The exceptional powerful jaws and teeth of Hyenas
combined with large size and a digestive system
capable of dissolving bones and even teeth within
hours, give these animals the ability to utilise the
remains of large vertebrates more completely than
other carnivores. Sometimes they are referred -
sarcastically of course - as "park cleaners".
The Elusive Bone
Hair is practically the only animal product they
cannot digest, alone among carnivores, hyenas have
solved the problem by disgorging hairballs (like
owls) along with hooves, pieces of horns and bones
and grass. Among the Kikuyu community, the patella
bone at the knee joint is reputably known as "karema
hiti", that is the bone that defied the hyenas'
greed and munching acumen. The anecdote is based on
the fact that the hyena would literally consume any
body part and the patella would remain as the only
trace or evidence of hyena feast. Interestingly even
the patella does not elude the hyena because it is
too hard to handle; but too slippery to fit in the
grip of the hyena's jaws!
Hyena's 7th Commandment
Another legend that demonstrates how hyenas are
associated with greed is the so called hyena's "7th
commandment". According to this "commandment", a
hyena takes what is available first without any
qualms about the details. Hence when you are told to
adhere to the hyena's 7th commandment,
you are being cautioned against losing ay chance or
opportunity
For more information on Hyenas, please click
here.
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Hyena Safari?
Hyenas are widely distributed in most of national
parks in east Africa. However they are more easily
seen in popular destinations like Maasai Mara,
Amboseli, Samburu and Serengeti. Contact us for more
information and your arrangements for safaris if you
want to see hyenas.
Drop us a note:
info@menengaiholidays.com |
