Quick Take
- The hyenas outnumber the lion, yet they step aside, and their reason for doing so has nothing to do with fear. See the risk calculation →
- That famous hyena 'laugh' heard in the video means something most people have completely backwards. Decode the hyena laugh →
- Flip the numbers in this encounter and the lion might be the one retreating. Here's why. When numbers shift the outcome →
- Hyenas stealing from lions is only half the story of who's really robbing whom on the African savanna. Discover who robs whom →
A lone lion walking straight toward a group of spotted hyenas sounds like the beginning of a fight. Instead, this lion keeps moving as the hyenas watch, vocalize, and eventually give him room to pass.
It may look like pure confidence on the lion’s part, but there is more happening here than one predator simply intimidating another. Lions and spotted hyenas are longtime rivals, and both species have to judge when a confrontation is worth the risk.
Watch the Lion Walk Straight Through the Hyenas
The footage shows a safari vehicle stopped near a lone lion as several spotted hyenas gather nearby. Rather than changing course, the lion continues directly through the group.
The hyenas keep their attention fixed on him and can be heard vocalizing. Then the lion lets out a powerful call, and the hyenas increase the distance between themselves and the much larger cat. It looks dramatic, but their reaction actually makes a lot of sense.
Why Don’t the Hyenas Attack the Lion?
Spotted hyenas are not helpless around lions. Large groups can surround, harass, and sometimes drive lions away from food. Researchers studying decades of lion-hyena encounters in Kenya found that hyenas frequently cooperate to mob lions, particularly when enough clan members are present.
Numbers matter. So does the lion standing in front of them. Male lions are considerably larger and stronger than individual spotted hyenas, and research has found that hyenas are less likely to successfully challenge lions when adult males are present. Lions can seriously injure or kill hyenas, making a close confrontation a potentially terrible trade if the clan does not have enough animals willing to join the fight.
That means backing away does not necessarily indicate fear in the simple sense. It can be a smart risk calculation. Unless the hyenas are protecting cubs, defending a valuable carcass, or have overwhelming numbers, there may be very little to gain from turning a passing lion into a full-blown fight.
The Hyenas Aren’t Actually Laughing at Him
Adult spotted hyenas can weigh close to 190 pounds, but even these powerful predators have reason to be cautious around lions.
©J.NATAYO/Shutterstock.com
The famous hyena “laugh” is one of the most misunderstood sounds in the animal world. Spotted hyenas produce numerous vocalizations, including whoops, growls, squeals, and the high-pitched giggle that gave them their laughing reputation.
According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, that giggling sound is associated with nervous excitement or submission rather than amusement. So if the high-pitched calls heard around the lion in this video are giggles, the hyenas are not standing around making fun of him. Their vocalizations are part of a much more complicated social communication system.
Hyenas Aren’t Just Scavengers, Either
The idea that spotted hyenas simply wait around for lions to leave scraps behind is another myth. They certainly scavenge when an opportunity presents itself, but spotted hyenas are also extremely capable hunters that can chase down prey themselves. Depending on the size of the hunting group, they can tackle everything from smaller antelope to adult wildebeest and zebra.
In fact, the food-stealing goes both ways. Lions sometimes take kills from hyenas, while sufficiently large groups of hyenas can pressure lions away from carcasses. Researchers describe lions and spotted hyenas as two of Africa’s dominant large carnivores and major competitors because their diets overlap so heavily.
Could a Group of Hyenas Actually Chase a Lion Away?
Absolutely. The outcome of a lion-hyena encounter can change dramatically depending on the number of animals involved. Researchers have documented spotted hyenas forming coordinated mobs, approaching lions together while vocalizing and sometimes forcing them away from a food source.
More hyenas generally improve the clan’s odds, while the presence of a male lion makes a successful challenge less likely. That helps explain why the scene in this video should not be interpreted as lions always dominating hyenas. Put the same lion near a much larger, motivated clan defending a carcass, and the encounter could look very different.
That is what makes the clip so interesting. The lion does not need to attack, and the hyenas do not need to prove anything. Both sides understand the potential cost of escalation. This time, giving the lion a little extra room appears to be the smarter move.
