The lion is the spotted hyaena’s greatest natural enemy as they compete directly for food, scavenge each other’s kills, and have antagonistic encounters that may result in death.

The spotted hyaena is one of the top predators in Africa, however, lions may kill them.

In one study 13 of 24 hyaena carcasses found were killed by lions (Panthera leo). Spotted hyaenas and lions compete directly for food and often scavenge each other’s kills. This competition often leads to antagonistic encounters that may result in death.

Otherwise, this species is free of predators.

^{• Image | © Tambako The Jaguar, Some Rights Reserved (CC BY-ND 2.0)
• Sources | (Eltringham, 1979; Kruuk, 1972; Law, 2004)}

Learn More About the Spotted Hyaena