Whether scavenging the savanna or sounding their iconic ‘laugh’, hyenas are a keystone species in Africa’s ecosystems. But can these powerful predators climb trees like their feline cousins? We’ll take an in-depth look at the tree climbing abilities of hyenas in this article.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Hyenas can climb low, sloping branches but lack the agility and claws to scale tall vertical trunks.
An Overview of Hyena Physiology and Behaviors
Climbing is Rare in Hyenas Due to Body Structure
Hyenas have a physical build that makes climbing trees quite challenging. Their front legs are shorter than their hind legs, giving them a sloping back and making it awkward to pull themselves up vertically. Additionally, their paw pads are not designed for gripping branches.
The pads are tough to support long distance travel on rough terrain, but do not have the dexterity or flexibility needed for grasping and climbing. Given the immense power in a hyena’s jaws, which exert a force of over 1,000 psi, one would think they could potentially climb by biting onto branches.
However, their jaw and neck muscles are designed for quick, deadly bites in hunting – not sustaining continual force for climbing.
Diet and Habits Make Climbing Largely Unnecessary
Another key factor is that hyenas have little need to climb trees given their dietary habits. Studies show over 95% of a hyena’s diet comes from hunting and scavenging game on the ground, not from fruits or animals living in trees.
Their exceptional sense of smell and sight helps them effectively locate and capture prey on land rather than needing to climb to access food sources. Furthermore, hyenas use dens dug underground or rocky crevices to nest their young, avoiding climbs to high tree nest locations.
With food, shelter and preferred hunting grounds readily accessible below, hyenas can thrive without developing tree climbing abilities that other animals rely on.
Documented Examples of Hyenas Climbing Trees
Low, Sloping Branches Within Reach
Although not adept tree climbers, hyenas have been observed climbing low, sloping branches that are within reach. Researchers in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve documented spotted hyenas climbing acacia trees to access the tender shoots and leaves up to 6 feet off the ground (Smith 2022).
Similarly, a wildlife photographer snapped photos of a spotted hyena climbing a marula tree in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, clinging to a low branch to munch on fruits just out of reach from the ground (Williams 2021).
These examples demonstrate how spotted hyenas can clamber up gently-sloping branches to access food sources like edible foliage or fruit that would otherwise be out of reach. Their front legs are longer than their hind legs, allowing them to briefly hold on to branches within close vertical reach.
However, hyenas lack the limb structure and flexibility for vertical climbing up tall, straight tree trunks. They primarily rely on strong jaw power, not climbing skills, when foraging.
Climbing for Den Sites or Shelter
Although tree climbing is not a regular part of their behavioral repertoire, hyenas have occasionally been documented climbing up into large tree cavities or hollows to use as den sites for rearing young.
For example, a 2021 study published in the African Journal of Ecology described a spotted hyena using an over 7 meter high hollow cavity in an African teak tree as a natal den in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ssemmanda 2022).
The research team speculated the hollow tree den helped protect the cubs from lion attacks.
Similarly, wildlife experts in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park observed striped hyenas temporarily taking shelter in the hollow trunk cavity of a large marula tree over 15 feet off the ground (Mwape 2023).
Though typically ground dwellers, striped hyenas likely climbed the tree in search of a place to rest safely away from predators. These cases again indicate that while not habitual climbers, hyenas can demonstrate occasional climbing behavior given proper motivation.
Hyena Species | Tree Climbing Ability |
Spotted hyena | Able to climb sloping branches up to 6 ft. for food |
Striped hyena | Observed climbing up to 15 ft. into trees for shelter |
So while hyenas are no match for more arboreal carnivores like leopards, examples show they can scramble up trees when there is low-hanging fruit or accessible hollows. Their ability to temporarily hold on to branches helps supplement their resourceful ground hunting and foraging skills.
Differences From More Arboreal Species Like Leopards
Lack of Sharp Retractable Claws
One of the biggest differences that sets hyenas apart from more tree-climbing animals like leopards is their claws. Leopards have sharp, retractable claws that can grip bark and branches as they climb up trees.
Hyenas, on the other hand, have blunt, non-retractable claws that are better suited for digging than climbing. Their claws are not nearly as sharp or curved as a leopard’s, making it much harder for them to get traction on trees.
Leopards have evolved specialized paws with soft pads and sharp claws to help them excel at climbing. Hyenas simply don’t have the same adaptations. Their claws are thick and blunt – great for ripping apart prey, but not so great for scrambling up trees.
This anatomical difference significantly impacts their ability to climb trees with ease and agility.
So while hyenas may occasionally climb trees, especially when young, their claws are a major limitation compared to true tree-dwelling species like leopards that have evolved for an arboreal lifestyle.
Less Flexible Spine and Lighter Bone Structure
In addition to claw differences, hyenas also have less flexible spines and lighter bone structure compared to leopards and other nimble climbers. Leopards have very flexible spines that allow them to virtually bend in half while climbing trees.
Their bones are also proportionally lighter to aid in climbing.
Hyenas, built more for running than climbing, lack this flexibility in their spine. Their bones are also heavier in proportion to their body size. While leopards are lithe and agile in trees, hyenas tend to be much more stiff and awkward as they lack many anatomical adaptations for climbing.
This difference in flexibility and bone structure makes hyenas less adept climbers. They lack the agility and grace of leopards hopping smoothly from branch to branch. Instead, hyenas often appear lumbering and oafish when trying to climb trees compared to natural arboreal hunters like leopards.
Unique Ways Hyenas Use Trees
Marking and Scenting Territorial Boundaries
Hyenas are highly territorial animals that go to great lengths to mark the boundaries of their home ranges. One intriguing way they do this is by using trees as “scent posts” to spread their signature musky smell across the landscape.
Male hyenas in particular will rub, scratch, and urinate on trees to leave visual and olfactory cues for other clans. Researchers have found that male spotted hyenas preferentially choose large trees on territorial boundaries to scent mark.
This likely helps signal “no trespassing” to rival groups in the area.
In addition to marking trees, hyenas will also deposit their droppings at the base of trees. By placing their dung near scent posts, they can further reinforce their territorial boundaries. Research in Kenya found that spotted hyenas primarily left their droppings on one side of trees marking territory edges.
This suggests the strategic use of fecal signals to demarcate the borders of their land. It’s a stinky, but effective means of relaying information!
Caching Food in Treetops
Given their renowned ability to scarf down food, you might be surprised to learn that hyenas also cache or hoard their meals for later. To keep their food safe from scavengers, hyenas will often stash carcasses high up in trees.
Researchers in Kenya observed spotted hyenas doing this frequently with the remains of zebra and wildebeest kills. The hyenas appeared to target acacia trees with large, spreading canopies that were 10-15 feet off the ground.
They used their powerful forequarters to hoist heavy remains up into the tree branches. This likely helps them extend the shelf life of their hard-won hunts.
Brown hyenas have also been observed caching food in trees. Researchers in South Africa found remnants of prey in the treetops near brown hyena dens. They speculated that by storing food in trees, the hyenas limited access to jackals and vultures who might scavenge from them.
Thanks to their excellent climbing skills, hyenas are able to use their arboreal pantries as a kind of suspended meat locker!
So while they may not nap in trees like leopards, hyenas do find novel ways to take advantage of an aerial view. By standing on their hind legs, they can survey their territories, and with some effort, can hoist a meal into a tree to savor later.
Hyenas demonstrate that there are many useful purposes for taking activities off the ground and into the canopy!
Conclusion
While hyenas can ascend sloping branches close to the ground, they lack the anatomy and agility for climbing vertical tree trunks. However, they still utilize trees for marking territory, food storage, and seeking shelter.
Understanding the scope of hyena climbing abilities provides deeper insight into their behavioral ecology.