Animals to learn to love #2 – hyena cub – Wildlife & travel images by Darren Hector

Animals to learn to love #2 – hyena cub

by Darren

Go on, tell me you don’t find that cute.

Ever since I first clapped eyes on these beasties I’ve been in love with them. Maybe it’s because they’re maligned, or maybe it’s because my first images of hyena were lost forever when I downloaded the card and didn’t check all the images were saved before formatting (a mistake I’ve only made once).

Whatever the reason, they do cause me trouble because drivers in Kenya absolutely hate hanging around hyena. They are an omen for bad luck and they don’t like it at all when I just want to sit and watch.

You’re probably going to tell me that they’re scavengers. I’ll tell you in return that lions (who are often the ‘victims’) scavenge from hyena as much as the other way around. Of course, that cute cheetah I posted yesterday stands such a slim chance of survival because of them both, but nature doesn’t take account of our human sensibilities. Everything has to eat.

Anyway, I’ve spared you my vast knowledge of bizarre hyena trivia (something which anyone who has heard me recant will say you are very lucky to avoid) and I’ll just say that hyena really are amazing creatures.

And if you don’t believe me, then I suggest you enter ‘hyena genetalia’ into your favourite search engine and start from there ….