Hyena cuisine

Hyena cuisine

Credit: Eli M. Swanson

A spotted hyena pulls on a carcass.

Dinner is served

Dinner is served

Credit: Eli M. Swanson

Hyenas tear into a carcass as scavengering birds wait their turn. Hyenas eat almost everything on a carcass, including the bones.

Alert diner

Alert diner

Credit: Eli M. Swanson

A spotted hyena wearing a radio collar stands at alert over a carcass.

Lone hyena

Lone hyena

Credit: Eli M. Swanson

Spotted hyenas are known for their "laughs," but research shows the hyena giggles are anything but light-hearted. The animals usually make the noise during social conflicts.

Hyena and cub

Hyena and cub

Credit: Eli M. Swanson

Hyenas are aggressive, but they know how to cooperate. According to a 2009 study published in the journal Animal Behavior, hyenas are quicker learners than non-human primates when it comes to figuring out how to do a task to get food.

Dig in

Dig in

Credit: Eli M. Swanson

A spotted hyena enjoys a meal. Hyena females outrank males and get to eat first.