The call of the wild

Early morning light framed this Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) as she called to the rest of her clan. It was fascinating to see how she threw her head down between her forefeet at the height of each call. The reason for this instinctive behaviour is that the sound waves travel further when directed along a surface rather than out into the surrounding air! Whoops, groans, grunts, whines, yells and giggles make up the vast array of hyena language. Studies have shown that they have at least 16 recognizable communication calls. Each hyena has its own unique call, and hyenas only respond to the call of their clan members. Back at the den the young cubs carefully listen out for their clan, and eagerly await their return…