The African savanna is home to several iconic predators, and two of the most well-known are the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) and the hyena (of the Hyaenidae family). African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves or painted dogs, are in a genus all their own. Hyenas, on the other hand, are a family of animals, with several species, including spotted, brown, striped, and aardwolf hyenas.
But how do these two predators really stack up against each other? This article will compare the morphology, distribution, habitat, behavior, and conservation status of wild dogs vs hyenas.
It’s also worth mentioning that wild dogs are facing real conservation concerns, while different species of hyenas have varying conservation statuses.
Morphology: Physical Characteristics
Both African wild dogs and hyenas are distinctive-looking animals, although they’re built for different purposes.
African Wild Dogs
African wild dogs usually stand between 24 and 30 inches at the shoulder and weigh as much as 80 pounds. Their coats are patterned in unique and irregular blotches of black, brown, and white, making each dog easily identifiable. They have large, rounded ears and long, slender legs.
Their build helps them succeed at their hunting style, which involves running their prey to exhaustion. Their long legs give them speed, and their relatively light weight gives them endurance.
Hyenas
The largest hyenas are about 36 inches at the shoulder and can weigh up to 150 pounds. There are several species of hyena, including spotted, brown, and striped hyenas.
Hyenas are known for their incredibly powerful jaws and teeth, which are well adapted for crushing bone and scavenging carcasses. Their sloping backs and relatively short hind legs give them a distinctive profile.
Where do they live? Distribution and habitat
Both of these animals live in Africa, but their ranges have changed over time.
African wild dogs
African wild dogs once roamed across 39 countries in Africa, but their range has shrunk over the years. Today, they’re mostly found in East and Southern Africa, with the largest populations in Tanzania and Botswana.
These dogs prefer open savannas and semi-arid plains. Ruaha National Park in Tanzania may be one of their last true havens. The remaining wild dogs in West Africa live in Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal.
Hyenas
Hyenas are found across Africa and in parts of Asia. There are actually four species of hyena: spotted, striped, brown, and aardwolf. The spotted hyena is the most common.
Hyenas can live in a variety of habitats, including savannas and grasslands, similar to those preferred by wild dogs. But you’ll also find them in arid deserts and semi-mountainous terrain. Spotted hyenas tend to avoid the densely forested areas of Central Africa.
Behavior and Social Structure
While both African wild dogs and hyenas are social carnivores, their social structures and behaviors differ considerably.
African Wild Dogs
African wild dogs are known for their incredibly tight-knit packs, which operate under a strict dominance hierarchy. The pack is typically led by an alpha male and an alpha female, who are usually the only ones to breed. The rest of the pack consists of their offspring and other related individuals.
Their cooperative hunting strategies are a marvel to behold. They work together seamlessly, using speed and endurance to chase down prey. Their coordinated attacks often result in high success rates, making them some of the most effective hunters in the African savanna.
Communication is key to their success. They use a variety of vocalizations, from yelps and barks to whines and chirps, to coordinate hunts and maintain social cohesion. Body language also plays a crucial role, with postures, tail movements, and facial expressions conveying important information.
African wild dogs are nomadic, constantly on the move in search of food. Their home ranges can be vast, spanning hundreds or even thousands of square kilometers.
Hyenas
Hyena social structures are more variable, depending on the species. Spotted hyenas, for instance, live in large clans that can number up to 80 individuals. These clans have complex social hierarchies, often dominated by females. Brown and striped hyenas, on the other hand, tend to be more solitary or live in smaller family groups.
While all hyenas are known for scavenging, spotted hyenas are also skilled hunters. They can take down large prey animals like zebras and wildebeest. Other hyena species rely more heavily on scavenging, feeding on the carcasses of animals killed by other predators.
Hyenas communicate through a range of vocalizations, including the spotted hyena’s distinctive “whooping” call, which can be heard over long distances. They also use scent marking to establish and maintain their territories.
Hyenas are territorial animals, fiercely defending their territories against intruders. Clan members work together to patrol their boundaries and protect their resources.
What do they eat, and how do they hunt?
African wild dogs mostly hunt medium-sized hooved animals. They’re famous for working together in packs. Wild dogs use their speed and stamina to run their prey into the ground. They have a higher hunting success rate than many other predators.
Hyenas have a more varied diet. Spotted hyenas will hunt and scavenge. Brown and striped hyenas lean more heavily on scavenging dead animals and bones.
Hyenas also have strong jaws and teeth, which help them crush bones and get at the marrow inside.
Because they often live in the same areas, wild dogs and hyenas compete for food. Hyenas will sometimes steal kills from wild dogs, and, less frequently, wild dogs will steal kills from hyenas.
Conservation Status and Threats
Both African wild dogs and hyenas face their share of challenges in the wild, but their conservation statuses differ.
African Wild Dogs
African wild dogs are in trouble. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as endangered, with their populations continuing to decrease. They’re threatened by:
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Poisoning
- Habitat loss
- Disease
Luckily, there are conservation efforts in place to help protect these animals. These include anti-poaching patrols, habitat preservation initiatives, and programs to control diseases.
Hyenas
The conservation status of hyenas varies by species. Spotted, brown, and striped hyenas are listed as either “least concern” or “near threatened” by the IUCN.
Hyenas still face threats, including:
- Habitat loss
- Conflict with humans
- Persecution
Wild dogs face greater threats overall because their populations are smaller, and they require specific habitats to thrive. Hyenas are more adaptable and resilient, but they still face significant challenges in certain areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do spotted hyenas eat African wild dogs?
Unfortunately, yes, spotted hyenas are known to prey on African wild dogs, especially pups or injured adults. While wild dogs are formidable hunters themselves, they are smaller than hyenas and can be vulnerable, particularly when outnumbered. This predation contributes to the challenges wild dog populations face.
Are wild dogs stronger than hyenas?
Individually, hyenas are generally stronger than wild dogs. Hyenas have powerful jaws and a robust build. However, wild dogs hunt in highly coordinated packs, using their speed and endurance to take down prey much larger than themselves. Their strength lies in their teamwork, not individual brute force.
Why are hyenas not considered dogs?
Despite their dog-like appearance, hyenas belong to a different family, Hyaenidae, while dogs belong to the Canidae family. While both families are in the order Carnivora, they evolved along separate paths. Hyenas are more closely related to cats and civets than they are to dogs, as revealed by genetic and anatomical studies.
Can wild dogs be domesticated?
While there have been rare instances of people raising individual African wild dogs, they are not considered domesticated animals. Their complex social structure, high energy levels, and specialized hunting behaviors make them unsuitable for typical domestic life. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their wild populations rather than attempting domestication.
In Summary
African wild dogs and hyenas, though both predators roaming the African savanna, employ vastly different hunting strategies. Wild dogs rely on stamina and teamwork to run down prey, while hyenas use their powerful jaws and social structure to scavenge and hunt opportunistically.
Both species face significant conservation challenges, including habitat loss and human conflict, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Despite their differences, both African wild dogs and hyenas play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of their ecosystems. By controlling prey populations and removing carrion, they contribute to the overall health and stability of the African landscape.