Diet and foraging behaviour of the brown hyaena (hyaena brunnea, Thunberg, 1820) in the southern Kalahari

Abstract

In the soutbern Kalahari direct observations of individual brown hyaenas (fitted with radio collars and beta lights) and faecal analysis, yielded the best information on diet. Ana1ysis of food items found at dens was also useful, but tracking spoor had severe limitations. The brown hyaene is predominantly a scavenger of vertebrate remains, supplementing its diet with insects, wild fruits, birds' eggs and the occasional small animal which it kills. Observations on activity, searching behaviour, scavenging, food storing and hunting behaviour of the brown hyaena are presented. It is concluded that the brown hyaena is the best adapted of the large carnivores to this arid region. It would be worthwhile investigating the feeding habits of this species in other areas, to determine the extent to which it clashes with man 1s interests.