Lions and hyenas are both animals that inhabit the African savannah. Both are renowned as apex predators. Despite living in the same area, lions are often robbed of their prey by hyenas, yet it is rare to see them eat each other. Why is that?
Hyenas – A Unique Species
Hyenas can be described as animals with a “dog-like” body and “cat-like” anatomy, but they are truly a unique species in their own right. Hyenas belong to a distinct family within the order Carnivora. This family includes four extant species: spotted hyena, brown hyena, aardwolf, and striped hyena.
Hyenas are among the greediest terrestrial carnivores. (Photo: NatGeo)
Essentially, hyenas are not true cats like tigers, leopards, and domestic cats, all of which belong to the Felidae family. Instead, hyenas are part of a separate group that is more closely related to the cat branch than to the dog family.
Hyenas are considered one of the greediest terrestrial carnivores, capable of taking down large animals such as zebras, wildebeests, and buffalo. They have long, powerful forelimbs that are stronger than their hind limbs. Their strong teeth can tear through tough flesh. Additionally, hyenas can run very quickly and can even chase down birds at close range.
Lions – The “Big Cats” of the Jungle
Lions (scientific name: Panthera leo) are one of the “big cats” in the Felidae family, belonging to the Panthera genus. Lions have been classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996. Wild lions primarily inhabit the regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (specifically in Gir National Park in India).
Lions primarily hunt large ungulates. (Photo: NatGeo)
After tigers, lions are the second largest big cats in the world. Male lions weigh an average of about 180 kg, while female lions average around 130 kg. The heaviest lion recorded weighed up to 375 kg. They typically inhabit savannas and grasslands rather than dense forests.
Lions exhibit a distinct social behavior compared to other Felidae species, living in prides. Female lions often hunt together, primarily targeting large ungulates. They are apex predators and mainly eat fresh meat, although they will scavenge when the opportunity arises.
Hyenas often compete with lions for prey. (Photo: NatGeo)
Lions possess numerous physical traits that make them natural-born hunters. Specifically, lions have night vision that is six times more sensitive to light than that of humans, providing them with a significant advantage when hunting at night. Additionally, they can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h in a very short time and jump over 10 meters high.
Why Do Lions Rarely Eat Hyenas?
Hyenas rarely hunt for themselves; instead, they primarily follow lions and leopards, stealing their kills. They often encounter lions but are seldom eaten. What is the reason behind this?
Despite frequent skirmishes, lions rarely eat hyenas. (Photo: NatGeo)
To truly understand the mutual animosity between these two species, we can refer to the movie “The Lion King.” According to records, in 1999, lion and hyena populations fiercely battled for two weeks in Ethiopia, resulting in bloody confrontations.
Witnesses to the conflict reported that hyenas spent the entire day hiding in their dens, only emerging at night to confront the lions. Six lions and thirty-five hyenas perished, along with an undetermined number of injuries. The battle concluded with the lions emerging victorious, forcing the hyenas to retreat.
Lions and hyenas often share overlapping habitats and prey. (Photo: NatGeo)
According to National Geographic, lions and hyenas are predators that often share overlapping habitats and prey. As a result, they frequently confront each other in territorial and food disputes.
Experts suggest that in a one-on-one confrontation, a hyena would certainly not stand a chance against a lion. Generally, it takes three hyenas to take down a single lion. Lions are three to four times larger than hyenas, but hyena packs know how to use tactics to surround and attack lions. A pack of hyenas can triumph and kill a lion when one member of the pack is attacked due to their numbers.
Hyena packs know how to use tactics against lions. (Photo: NatGeo)
It can be said that lions can certainly eat hyenas and vice versa. However, according to Animal, both species are well aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, so they are unlikely to rush into an unbalanced numerical conflict.
