spotted hyena

The Sounds of the Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena calls in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Does the hyena really laugh? The science behind the sound

"Whoo-whoop, cackle-cackle!" The haunting cry of the Spotted Hyena is one of the most iconic sounds of the African wilderness. But is the hyena actually laughing?

While it may sound like a giggle to human ears, these vocalizations are part of a highly sophisticated social language.

Decoding Hyena Vocalizations

Hyenas don't laugh because they find something funny. Instead, their "laughter" is a series of staccato vocalizations used for specific communication:

  • The “Whoop”: This is a long-distance contact call that can carry for over three miles. It’s used to advertise territory boundaries or to rally members of the clan.

  • The “Cackle”: Often mistaken for a laugh, this high-pitched sound is actually a signal of social excitement or submission. It often occurs during a hunt or when a subordinate hyena is being chased by a dominant one.

Understanding these sounds transforms a nighttime “laugh” from a spooky noise into a glimpse into one of nature’s most complex social structures.

Experience the Symphony of the Serengeti

With Christmas in the rearview mirror, my mind is drifting back to the savanna. While our February 2026 Serengeti excursion is officially full, the adventure doesn't stop there.

Why Plan for 2027 Now?

The Serengeti remains a premier world-class destination. To secure the most exclusive lodges and the most knowledgeable guides, we recommend booking 12–18 months in advance.

What Awaits You:

  • The Great Migration: Witness millions of wildebeest and zebra on the move.

  • The Big Five: Track lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhino.

  • The Nighttime Symphony: Fall asleep to the very whoops and cackles of the African bush.

Isn’t it time for you to experience one of the last great wild places on earth?

Email us today to get on the wait list for 2027. Here’s the link to our desk.

And if you’re not into “Dad jokes,” don’t click this.

The Clever Spotted Hyena: Intelligence & Scavenging at Lake Magadi

A spotted hyena makes its way to the edge of the Lake Magadi.

Clean-Up Patrol: The Surprising Intellect of the Spotted Hyena

Meet the “clean-up patrol” of the African savannah. Here, a spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) feeds on a hippo carcass along the stark, alkaline shores of Lake Magadi, Tanzania.

While often maligned, the spotted hyena is one of the most successful and opportunistic scavengers—and hunters—in the world. But their physical toughness isn't their only weapon; their minds are equally sharp.

Entering the lapping waves of this soda lake.

Outsmarting the Great Apes

The hyena's reputation as a mindless scavenger is far from the truth. In laboratory problem-solving tests, the spotted hyena has been shown to outsmart chimpanzees in certain cooperative tasks. They possess a complex social intelligence and a level of strategic thinking that rivals many primates.

I guess these brilliant creatures just need a better PR representative!

Witness the Wild at Lake Magadi

Located in the heart of the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Magadi is a prime spot to witness the raw drama of the food chain. From hyenas on patrol to vast flocks of flamingos, the biodiversity here is unmatched.

The bloated carcass of a dead hippo rests in the shallows. (Now you know why we’re shooting black and white!).

Safari With Us in 2027

Our 2026 expeditions are currently at capacity, but we are officially angling for a return to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro in 2027.

  • 2027 Booking Status: Early reservations are highly encouraged. Email us here.

  • Experience the Drama: See the clever spotted hyena in its natural habitat.

For a glimpse of travel opportunities, see the list of our future trips here.

To learn more about Ngorongoro, see our post, Standing on the Edge: The Breathtaking Rim of Ngorongoro Crater

To learn more about the Spotted hyena, see our post, Ngorongoro's Matriarchs: The Secret Society of Spotted Hyenas

Hyena and hippo carcass. Scavengers do what scavengers do.

See another post on the Spotted hyena here.

Ngorongoro's Matriarchs: The Secret Society of Spotted Hyenas

A spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) walking through the short grass of the Ngorongoro Crater floor in Tanzania.

The Matriarchs of Ngorongoro: Inside Spotted Hyena Society

Meet one of the roughly 550 spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) that call the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania home. While they are often misunderstood, these carnivores possess one of the most complex social structures in the animal kingdom.

A World Ruled by Females

The hyenas within the crater are organized into eight distinct, identified clans, each operating under a strict linear hierarchy. At the top of every single clan is an alpha-female.

Unlike many other predator groups, hyena society is entirely matriarchal:

  • Female Loyalty: Female hyenas typically remain with their birth clan for their entire lives, maintaining the family legacy.

  • Male Emigration: Young males often leave their home clan upon reaching maturity, embarking on a journey to join and prove themselves in a new clan.

  • Hierarchical Status: Even the lowest-ranking female is generally dominant over the highest-ranking male.

Experience the “Laugh” of the Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater offers a unique opportunity to witness these social dynamics up close. From their eerie “whoop” calls at dawn to their strategic hunting, the spotted hyena is a highlight of any game drive.

Safari With Us

Are you ready to witness the raw power and complex intelligence of the African bush? We are returning to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro in 2026, and we want you to have a front-row seat.

  • 2026 Expeditions: Limited seats are currently available for our upcoming season. Follow the link here for details.

  • Hear the Wild: Experience the sights and sounds of the crater for yourself.

  • 2027 Expeditions: Email us here to get on the waitlist.

See another of our posts on the Spotted hyena, Redefining the Spotted Hyena: Nature’s Misunderstood Genius

Redefining the Spotted Hyena: Nature’s Misunderstood Genius

A spotted hyena in Ngorongoro crater, showcasing its unique features and powerful build.

The more I learn about the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the more I appreciate this ingenious animal. Far too often, they are cast as the “villains” of the savanna, but the reality is much more fascinating.

Myth vs. Reality

We’ve all seen the movies where hyenas are presented as greedy, stupid, or even “criminal.” It’s time to look past the Hollywood tropes and see the handiwork of our Creator in these remarkable creatures.

  • More Than Scavengers: While they are famous for scavenging, spotted hyenas are actually highly skilled apex predators that hunt the majority of their own food.

  • The “Laugh” is a Language: That famous “laugh” or “fuss” isn't a joke—it’s part of a highly complex system of vocal communications used to coordinate the clan.

  • Neither Dog nor Cat: They might look like ugly dogs or small bears, but hyenas are in a biological category of their own (Hyaenidae), more closely related to mongooses and civets than to canines.

The Einstein of the Savanna?

Recent studies have turned the scientific world on its head regarding hyena intelligence. Research suggests that spotted hyenas:

  • Are incredibly creative problem solvers.

  • Exhibit social cooperation and teamwork skills that, in some tests, outperform chimpanzees.

  • Live in highly organized "clans" with complex social hierarchies.

A Beautiful Design

The next time you see a hyena on a safari or in a documentary, remember that you aren't looking at a lowly scavenger. You are looking at a brilliant, social, and essential part of the African ecosystem.

God doesn't make mistakes—and the spotted hyena is a testament to the diversity and intelligence woven into the natural world.

To learn more about the Spotted hyena, see our post, Ngorongoro's Matriarchs: The Secret Society of Spotted Hyenas