Chapter Thirteen: The Second Brother of Africa

Chapter Thirteen: Africa’s Second Brother

But today, as it just climbed up the tall tree, it spotted some unsightly creatures prowling near the border of their territory, seemingly probing into their domain.

Chu Ye was startled at once, for he knew these beings were even more fearsome than the lion brothers.

What Chu Ye saw, more terrifying than the lion brothers, was none other than the infamous "Second Brother of Africa"—the spotted hyena.

The spotted hyena earned its formidable reputation due to its remarkable combat prowess.

Though hyenas are not very large—generally about one and a half meters in length, standing roughly six to seven decimeters tall, and weighing only around forty to fifty kilograms, with females sometimes heavier, up to sixty or seventy kilograms—their stature is diminutive compared to lions. Yet, these creatures dominate the African savannah and have rightfully claimed the title of Africa’s Second Brother. This speaks volumes about the hyena’s own survival wisdom and its uniquely adapted lifestyle on the vast plains.

Despite their name, hyenas are not dogs; they belong to their own family, the Hyaenidae. The spotted hyena is the largest member of this family.

Moreover, hyenas are not even canines by descent; their ancestors may have evolved from a lineage closer to the felines, possibly from a civet-like ancestor.

In truth, hyenas have always been formidable creatures.

Not only are modern hyenas fearsome, but their ancestors were even more so.

Their forebears were the giant hyenas.

Around ten thousand years ago, the Earth was home to enormous hyenas, far larger than today’s spotted hyenas.

These giant hyenas were not only much bulkier but even surpassed modern lions in size. They measured two to three meters in length, stood about 1.2 meters tall, and weighed over three hundred kilograms.

At that time, these giant hyenas were the undisputed apex predators on land. Ordinary carnivores dared not challenge them, and even the sabre-toothed tigers, themselves dominant predators, avoided provoking these colossal beasts.

The strength of the giant hyenas was unparalleled among carnivores. A mature male giant hyena could easily overpower a female sabre-toothed tiger, though a male sabre-toothed tiger might still pose a threat.

Although today’s hyenas cannot compare to their ancestors in sheer power, they have not disgraced their lineage.

They continue to secure a place on the African savannah through sheer tenacity, earning themselves the honorific of Africa’s Second Brother.

Of course, due to their ugly appearance and survival tactics, many people look down on hyenas, considering them shameless creatures.

But the so-called "stink tactic" is not unique to hyenas; many carnivores on the savannah employ similar strategies. Even the mighty lions, Africa’s First Brother, use such methods.

When lions hunt buffalo, they often resort to these tactics.

This is because smaller predators find it difficult to kill larger prey in one swift strike. They cannot quickly bring down their quarry and must instead exploit the prey’s vulnerable rear.

Hyenas, being relatively small, hunt wildebeests and zebras much larger than themselves. To succeed, they must resort to such methods.

Lions generally do not need to use these tactics because of their large size.

When hunting zebras or wildebeests, lions can execute a graceful, lethal neck clamp in a single move.

However, when lions pursue buffalo, they face the same challenges as hyenas hunting wildebeests. Due to the size disparity, extreme measures become necessary.

It is not just hyenas; African wild dogs and jackals also adopt these strategies.

Their size makes it impossible to finish off prey with a single blow.

They must attack from behind, relentlessly wearing down their prey to death.

Though cruel, such methods are indispensable for survival. If their prey were to submit and allow themselves to be killed outright, such extreme tactics would be unnecessary.

But herbivores do not surrender so easily, so this harsh mode of hunting persists on the African grasslands.

Hyenas’ survival abilities are truly astonishing; they can endure without food or water for up to half a month. Naturally, they will go to any lengths to survive.

Once, a spotted hyena lost its leg to another predator’s bite, losing its ability to hunt.

Ordinarily, such a hyena would be doomed. On the African savannah, aside from wild dogs, no injured or ill animal can survive.

Any wounded or sick creature faces certain death—not only vulnerable to other predators but also at risk of starving.

In hyena clans, an injured member is often cast out, as the group cannot sustain a non-working member.

Though harsh, this practice preserves the clan’s overall strength and fighting capability.

That one-legged hyena, forced from its clan, refused to die. With no food, it resorted to gnawing on its own severed leg to survive.

Such behavior is chilling to imagine, yet it commands respect for the hyena’s indomitable will to live.

Moreover, female hyenas nursing their young can travel tens of kilometers daily, journeying between hunting grounds and their dens to feed their cubs.

What spirit drives them to endure such exhaustion? It is undoubtedly the innate nature of motherhood.

Hyenas are among the most successful survivors of the African savannah. Yet, their ugly appearance condemns them to the infamous title of "king of scavengers."

Human society often judges by appearance, much like in television dramas where heroes are handsome, with strong features and bright eyes, while villains sport sharp, cunning faces.

But in nature, survival transcends appearances, and the spotted hyena stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation.