Association of seasonal reproductive patterns with changing food availability in an equatorial carnivore, the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta)

Reproductive seasonality was examined in an equatorial population of free-l iving spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Kenya. The study population was observed continuously for 10 years, during which time the dates of all birt hs, conceptions, weanings, and cub deaths were recorded. Local prey abundan ce was estimated two to four times per month, and rainfall was recorded dai ly throughout the study period. Births occurred during every month of the y ear, but a distinct trough in births occurred from February to May. This tr ough occurred approximately one gestation period after the phase of the ann ual cycle during which prey animals were least abundant in the home range o f the hyaenas, and conceptions occurred most frequently when food abundance was greatest. Neither rainfall nor cub mortality were correlated with birt hs or conceptions. Thus, although spotted hyaenas are capable of breeding t hroughout the year, they exhibit a moderate degree of seasonality that most likely reflects responses to seasonal variation in energy availability.