Lions, hyenas and mobs (oh my!)

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Animal Behavior
• Social Evolution

Background:

• Cooperation is key to understanding social evolution.
• Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) exhibit cooperative mobbing against lions (Panthera leo).
• This interspecies mobbing between apex predators is previously undescribed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze lion-hyena encounters using a 27-year dataset.
• To assess the frequency and success of hyena mobbing behavior during these interactions.
• To determine factors influencing mobbing and food acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Characterized lion-hyena interactions over 27 years.
• Quantified mobbing rates during encounters.
• Assessed food acquisition and retention by both species.
• Analyzed the influence of prey size, predator numbers, and sex on interactions.

Main Results:

• Interactions peaked at fresh kills, with larger prey and more hyenas.
• Initial food possession influenced retention for both lions and hyenas.
• Male lions increased interaction probability but decreased hyena food success.
• Hyena mobbing increased with hyena numbers but decreased with adult male lions present.
• Successful food acquisition by hyenas correlated with increased mob formation.

Conclusions:

• Hyena mobbing behavior is a cooperative strategy to gain food from lions.
• Cooperation among hyenas, particularly mob formation, enhances their fitness.
• Interspecific mobbing between apex predators is a significant aspect of their social dynamics.