Category
🐳
AnimalsTranscript
00:00 There are many misconceptions about spotted hyena society.
00:03 Historically, they've been painted as thieves
00:05 and scavengers and villains.
00:07 But in all actuality, they're incredibly successful hunters.
00:10 They're very invested mothers.
00:12 And they live in these socially complex, intelligent societies.
00:17 To find out why playing together is so important for low-ranked
00:22 hyenas, Kate needs to track down a den site
00:26 to find some youngsters.
00:29 After each mother has their cub, they
00:32 keep them at a natal den for about one month.
00:35 But after that month is up, all of the moms within a territory
00:38 will move their hyena cubs to a communal den.
00:42 This is where all of the cubs will
00:43 meet all of the other hyenas in their clan
00:45 that are the same age.
00:46 Every cub inherits its rank from its mother.
00:53 And as the youngsters meet their new clan mates,
00:57 they discover where they fit into the hierarchy.
01:02 The lowest-ranked cubs learn the hard way.
01:05 This young male is at the bottom of the pecking order.
01:16 He's the target of relentless bullying,
01:22 which reinforces his low status.
01:25 [hyena screeching]
01:28 We do see a lot of aggressions from clan mate to clan mate.
01:32 But these aggressions are generally
01:34 ritualized aggressions, are very stereotyped.
01:37 They're never very severe.
01:40 While the aim of this aggression isn't to cause injury,
01:44 cubs of low rank suffer high levels of stress.
01:50 Stress weakens the immune system over time
01:53 and can even shorten an animal's lifespan.
01:56 For a low-ranked hyena, life may seem hopeless.
02:03 But everything changes when Kate introduces a toy to the clan.
02:12 These cubs are really inquisitive with new things
02:14 that they find in their environment.
02:16 Here we have a little rope toy.
02:19 And we're hoping that we can encourage some play behavior.
02:22 [music playing]
02:25 The dominant cubs are quick to get involved.
02:31 They start a game of tug of war.
02:37 The low-ranked male watches on as the high rankers
02:45 have all the fun.
02:46 [music playing]
02:50 He dares to try his luck at getting in on the game.
02:56 [music playing]
02:59 [squealing]
03:02 [thud]
03:03 [squealing]
03:05 What happens next is astonishing.
03:09 Not only is he allowed to join in,
03:12 but the others allow him a taste of what it's like
03:16 to be dominant by letting him take control of the rope.
03:19 [music playing]
03:23 Play is actually one of the only times in spotted hyena society
03:27 where this really strict hierarchy completely breaks
03:30 down.
03:31 And it becomes socially acceptable for high rankers
03:33 and low rankers to play with each other and vice versa.
03:36 [music playing]
03:39 This extraordinary breakdown in the hierarchy
03:42 isn't just between cubs.
03:45 Adults also join in group games.
03:49 They, too, allow low-ranked youngsters a moment of victory.
03:53 [music playing]
03:55 [squealing]
03:59 [music playing]
04:02 (upbeat music)