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National Geographic : 2005 Jun
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A growl and bared fangs signalthat this voraciouspredatoris fed up with the vultures vying for a wildebeest carcassit wants to devour single-handedly-an impossibility even for the hungriesthyena. Unsure of when they will next feed, hyenas will gorge themselves whenever they can. Although they often snap at vultures in the process, they rarely harm the rivalscavengers. The relationshipbetween the species is mutually beneficial: The birdsoften eat at hyena kills, and the sight of vultures alerts the hyenas to nearby dead meat. This hyena, disturbedby the swarm of scavengers, finally tore off a hunk of wildebeest meat and went lookingfor a more peaceful spot. After a big meal-big meaning not afew steaks, but 30 to 40pounds of meat, nearly a thirdof their weight andfar more, proportionally,than a lion would eat-digestion raiseshyena body temperature. On such occasions,few things are more pleasantthan a cool, postprandialmud bath (left). But even in the mud, the hierarchyrules. A lower rankinganimal loungingin the same spot quickly made wayfor this dominant female. HYENAS 61
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