Spotted hyenas exhibit high female competition and risky birth processes

A study conducted by the Ngorongoro Hyena Project, involving the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and the Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution de Montpellier, has provided new insights into the social and biological complexities of spotted hyenas. Research spanning eight generations across eight clans in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater reveals that female spotted hyenas exhibit greater reproductive inequality than males.

This phenomenon is attributed to social inheritance, as females pass on their social rank and privileges, such as priority access to food, to their offspring. Unlike males, females in this species are the more competitive sex due to these inherited advantages.

Additionally, the species faces significant biological challenges during reproduction. Female spotted hyenas possess a unique anatomy, including an elongated clitoris known as a pseudo-penis, which serves as the birth canal. This anatomical structure makes the birthing process exceptionally dangerous, often resulting in high mortality rates for both the mother and the first-time cubs.