Sunday, November 25, 2018

Beasts and Monsters: Cave Hyena



Though many of the great beasts of Sundaland had been slain when the first people conquered the land there are still and abundance of dangerous creatures stalking the land. On the grassy plains and in the lightly forested hills there dwell packs of large Hyenas. They come to waist height of a grown man and are aggressive when disturbed eating or protecting their young. 
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal 

The Cave Hyena can be found on the savannah and in the sparser forests of Sundaland. It lives in caves or in crevices of rocky outcrops or digs dens if there are no natural homes. It lives in loose groups of up to 50 individuals called clans but may go out hunting and foraging as individuals or in smaller groups.

The Cave Hyena is aggressive when disturbed during feeding or when protecting its home and young.

Behaviour Description

Likely to attack aggressively when surprised, especially when disturbed during feeding or when defending its home or young.
25% chance encountered alone
25% chance encountered in a small group of up to 5
50% chance encountered in a group of up to 50

Various articles and images

Wikipedia: Cave Hyena

Wikipedia: Spotted Hyena Insight into the behaviour of modern Hyenas.

Prehistoric Wildlife: Cave Hyena Includes a size comparison to a human.

Cave Hyena: Photorealistic artist impression

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