Have you Ever Heard a Hyena Laughing?

Have you ever heard a hyena laughing? If not, then you need to watch this video. I have played this clip over and over; and I giggle every time. I have never heard hyena cackle like this while attempting to steal prey. At night you will hear hyenas making that familiar whooping sound; but to hear them cackling away is quite a rare.

Why do hyenas make this laughing sound?

Hyenas have a variety of vocalisations from wailing calls to howling screams and laughter. The high-pitched laughter that is produced is actually a sign of nervous energy and distress. The laughter is often heard at a kill site and produced when they are excited and in a state of conflict. It is produced when arriving and leaving a situation. In this case, they stole a leopard’s kill which left them in a state of flux. There was much excitment about stealing the kill but at the same time it was a daring thing to do ! The whooping sound made by hyenas is a long distance call to locate fellow clan members. Each hyena has a different whoop – kind of like a human’s fingerprint.

Francois Pienaar, a ranger at Africa on Foot, took this footage while guiding in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.