Process Essay 2
How Hyenas Hunt
When it comes to the African savanna, what wildlife animal springs to your mind? Besides the formidable king of beasts, the ferocious carnivores, and other mild herbivores, there is still an iconic species in the savanna, which is the hyena. Hyenas, whose appearances are similar to wild dogs, are the most notorious predators in the tropical grasslands. Having strong jaws, muscular physical, and vicious personalities, the hyena can dread all the beasts effortlessly with just one glance. Even the lion who stands alone is frightened of them. As one of the exceedingly brilliant predators, they hunt their prey efficiently with three steps.
First of all, hyenas seek the prey with remarkable patience. They frequently wander around the hunting territory for a long time. It sometimes takes from a day to a week to look for the greatest opportunity to attack. The waiting time is uncertain, for all the components of victorious hunting depend on fortune. If they take the action recklessly without meticulous thinking and observation, the consequence often turns out to be a failure. Not only will other animals be alert to their existence, but hyenas will lose the vigor rapidly and need to spend time restoring the energy. Therefore, being patient and calm is the first step and the most basic element that leads to triumph.
Secondly, hyenas work cooperatively when the objectives are large animals, such as African elephants, rhinos, and giraffes. Hyenas, which are known as social species live in groups, and they are deeply conscious of the significance of teamwork. Chasing the creatures that are far more enormous than themselves can be a quite tough mission. Also, the difficulty makes the possibility lower. To act more efficiently, cooperating with other members can reduce energy loss and increase the odds of success. When confronted with large animals, hyenas will behave like wolves, scattering in different locations, surrounding the prey, and confining it in a circle which makes it almost impossible for the prey to escape.
Lastly, hyenas will assault the prey from its backside, the most fragile body part. Yet, they do not directly attack the animals. Unlike other predators’ hunting strategies, after targeting the objective, hyenas will track the prey persistently until it runs out of stamina, and subsequently, launch an attack from the back. The reason why hyenas hunt the prey by attacking the backside is that their body types are relatively smaller compared with other animals living in the savanna. Once the weakest part is torn apart, the prey cannot defend itself anymore, only breathing its life with pain. By shredding other animals’ Achilles’ heels, hyenas hunt speedily and skillfully, and they even reduce the risk of being kicked when the prey is struggling.
Perhaps their method of assaulting is bloody and cruel, and their appearance is not pleasant at all; however, all of the features they have are inherent. Although hyenas are always misunderstood as ugly and crafty animals, they have extraordinary intelligence and astonishing perseverance in reality. By looking for the prey with patience, cooperating with members, and assaulting from the back, hyenas, often described as despicable and wicked, certainly have a role to play in a place full of jeopardy.
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