Fascinating Facts About The Hyena Tail That You Won’t Believe

Do you want to know something unique and exciting about the hyena tail?

Hyenas are dangerous wild animals that are vital to ensure that the ecosystem of southern Africa is carried forward. They face habitat loss in certain regions outside the protected areas, but the population does not face any immediate threat.

These wild animals have a high tendency to eat dead animals and thus, help in cleaning nature. They are also known as wild dogs in the wild.

Hyenas are dog-like carnivorous animals that are known for their scavenging activities. These animals eat antelope, wildebeest, and other animals.

There are only four hyena species in the world: spotted hyena, brown hyena, striped hyena, and aardwolf: together, they make the hyena family. The spotted hyenas are the largest breed among other hyenas and are also known as the laughing hyenas.

Hyenas are also known for their laugh-like sounds. These animals can consume food quantities that are around one-third their body weight in one go.

When attacked by the predators, brown and striped hyenas feign death while the spotted hyena tries to defend itself. The average litter size of spotted hyenas is two cubs. Males reach sexual maturity at two years of age, while female hyenas attain sexual maturity at the age of three years.

After reading interesting facts about the tails in hyena adults and cubs, also check out facts about bear fishing and goat hair.

Do hyenas have tails?

Hyenas are carnivorous animals that look a lot like dogs. Though hyenas are primarily associated with dogs, they are actually related to cats. These animals are great predators and are known for mainly two things, scavenging and their loud laugh.

Hyenas produce a vocal sound that sounds like they are laughing. Hyenas have thick necks, a short mane, and long forelegs.

They have a body length of about 37-59 in (94-150 cm) which shows a gradual downward slope from head to their tails. Hyenas generally have dark lines or spots on their bodies. Hyenas have short tails with terminal hair.

What does a hyena tail look like?

Like many other four-legged animals with two hind legs and two forelegs, hyenas also have a tail, which is relatively short in length. Hyenas are related to cats, but unlike cats, hyenas have short tails with terminal hairs.

Cats have long tails, as you can see in all the cats and the big cats too. A hyena tail appearance and a dog tail appearance are somewhat similar.

Hyena’s tail can move in every direction, and these animals use these motions to communicate with each other. Hyenas can lift their tail up and lay that on their backs, as well as lay the tail downward and touch their bellies with it.

What do hyenas use their tails for?

A hyena communicates with each other with some specific postures, calls, and signals. They use their sounds to communicate and certain postures to define certain things or situations. Hyenas also use their tails to make some specific signals which create harmony among them.

For example, if the hyena’s tail is straight, it indicates an attack, and if a hyena’s tail is tucked between its legs and folded flat against the belly, this means that the hyena is frightened.

When the hyena is happy and excited, it keeps its tail upward over its back, and when the hyena lowers its tail and hangs downward, this indicates that the hyena is tired or walking with leisure. So, a hyena’s tail can tell a lot about its nature and thinking.

What does it mean when a hyena’s tail is up?

As we have discussed earlier, hyenas use their tails to express many things about themselves, like what they are feeling or what they are up to.

We have also seen that if the tail of the hyena is up and forward and laid over its back, this means that the hyena is in a good mood. This signal of the hyena expresses its excitement and happiness to its clan.

However, when hyenas have an erect tail and are not laid on the back, they are planning an attack. Hyenas generally move and live in groups or clans, and they need to communicate with them somehow.

They can not talk and express themselves like humans, so they use techniques like their tails. To maintain the harmony of the attack, they have to attack simultaneously to catch the prey.

Did You Know?

Contrary to numerous myths, hyenas can not change their sex.

Hyenas are one of the keystone species of Africa. A keystone species means that the species is very important for that ecosystem, and without that one particular species, there will be adverse effects on that ecosystem. Hyenas are very important to maintain and balance the African ecosystem.

Furthermore, hyenas are scavengers. This means that they also clean up the dead animal’s carcass and maintain hygiene in the environment. Cleaning up the uneaten dead animal’s body from nature is very necessary for its survival. If these dead animals are not cleaned up, then they may spread some very serious diseases to the ecosystem.

These animals do not make good pets. In fact, they are horrible pets. Hyenas are dangerous animals, and you should not keep one as a pet. Also, these animals love to stay with their natal clan instead of living in solitary.

Also, in many states of the US, it is illegal to keep a hyena at your house. This is because they are considered exotic animal species, and keeping an exotic pet animal is unlawful. So, it is advised not to keep such aggressive and wild animals as pets. Instead, you can get a cute little dog or a cat.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for hyena tail, then why not take a look at mare in heat or hyena facts?