HUNTING RATES AND HUNTING SUCCESS IN THE SPOTTED HYENA (CROCUTA-CROCUTA)

Hunting group size, hunting rates and hunting success were monitored o ver a seven-year period among members of one large dan of spotted hyen as (Crocuta crocuta) inhabiting the Masai Mara National Reserve, in so uth-west Kenya. Prey availability varied seasonally in this study area , and hyenas tended to hunt whichever prey species were most abundant during each month of the year. Over 75% of 272 hunting attempts were m ade by lone hyenas, even when they hunted antelope three times their o wn body mass, such as wildebeest and topi. Of all prey that were commo nly hunted, only zebra were usually hunted in groups. Approximately on e-third of all hunting attempts resulted in prey capture. Although no significant sex differences were observed in juvenile or adult hunting rates, low-ranking adult females hunted at significantly higher hourl y rates than did higher-ranking females. Hunting success was not influ enced by the social rank of hunters, but hunting group size and hunter 's age strongly influenced success. Young hyenas were poor hunters, an d did not achieve adult competency levels until they were 5-6 years ol d.