If you’ve ever stayed up late watching nature documentaries, you’ve probably heard it. That bone-chilling, high-pitched "laugh" echoing across the savanna. It sounds like a joke gone wrong. People often ask, what do you call a group of hyenas, expecting a single, poetic answer like a "pride" of lions or a "murder" of crows. But the reality is a bit more complicated—and way more interesting—than just a one-word label.
Hyenas are weird. Honestly, they’re some of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Most people will tell you that a group of hyenas is called a cackle. It makes sense, right? They make that weird noise, so we call them a cackle. But if you walk up to a field biologist like Dr. Kay Holekamp, who has spent decades studying spotted hyenas in the Masai Mara, she’s not going to use that word. She’s going to talk about a clan.
Clan vs. Cackle: Which One is Right?
Here is the thing about collective nouns. A lot of them were invented in the 15th century by bored aristocrats who wanted to sound fancy while hunting. These are called "terms of venery." That’s where we get "a business of ferrets" or "an unkindness of ravens."
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A cackle of hyenas is one of those terms. It’s descriptive. It’s fun. It looks great in a crossword puzzle or a trivia night at the local pub. But in the world of actual zoology and animal behavior, it doesn't mean much.
When you ask a scientist what do you call a group of hyenas, they will say a clan. This isn't just a fancy synonym. It describes a very specific, incredibly complex social structure that is more like a human city or a troop of primates than a simple pack of dogs. Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) live in these clans, which can number anywhere from 6 to over 100 individuals.
It’s a massive community.
Within this clan, they don’t all hang out together all the time. That’s a common misconception. They use what’s called a fission-fusion society. Basically, the clan members break off into smaller groups to hunt or sleep and then come back together to defend their territory or feast on a kill. Think of it like a group of friends who all live in the same neighborhood; you’re all part of the "clan," but you’re not all in the same room at the same time.
The Matriarchy: Who Really Runs the Show?
If you want to understand the hyena clan, you have to understand that the girls are in charge. Completely.
In a spotted hyena group, the females are larger, more aggressive, and significantly more dominant than the males. Even the lowest-ranking female in the clan is higher in the "pecking order" than the highest-ranking male. It’s a strict hierarchy. If a male wants to join a new clan, he has to start at the bottom of the ladder and basically spend years being bullied before he gets any respect.
Why does this matter when discussing what do you call a group of hyenas? Because the word "clan" implies this kinship and inherited status.
Female hyenas inherit their mother’s rank. It’s like a monarchy. If your mom is the Queen (the alpha female), you’re born into high society. You get first dibs on the zebra carcass. You grow faster. You survive longer. If your mom is at the bottom? Good luck. You’re going to be fighting for scraps. This social complexity is why "cackle" feels so insufficient to researchers. A cackle is just a noise; a clan is a political dynasty.
Do All Hyenas Live in Groups?
Not exactly.
While the spotted hyena is the famous one, there are other species. The Brown Hyena and the Striped Hyena are much more solitary.
- Brown Hyenas: They live in smaller groups, often called clans as well, but they usually forage alone. They aren't as loud. They don't cackle.
- Striped Hyenas: These guys are the "loners" of the family. They are mostly scavengers and usually hang out solo or in very small family pairs.
- Aardwolves: Yes, the aardwolf is technically a hyena. They eat termites. They live in pairs. You wouldn't really call two aardwolves a "cackle" unless you wanted to look silly.
The "Laugh" That Isn't Actually Funny
We need to talk about the cackling. Since the phrase what do you call a group of hyenas is so tied to the "cackle" label, we should understand what that sound actually is.
It isn't laughter. Not even close.
When a hyena "laughs," it is usually stressed out. It’s a sound of frustration or submission. You’ll hear it most often during a feeding frenzy at a kill site. If a lower-ranking hyena is being pushed away from the food by a dominant female, it will emit that high-pitched, giggling sound. It’s basically saying, "Hey, I’m not a threat, please don't bite me, but I’m really annoyed that I’m not eating!"
Researchers have actually found that the pitch and frequency of the giggle can tell other hyenas how old the individual is and what their social status is. It’s a biological ID card broadcast over the airwaves.
Intelligence That Rivals Primates
For a long time, people thought hyenas were just "dumb" scavengers. Disney’s The Lion King didn’t help that reputation. But the reason they live in such complex clans is because they are incredibly smart.
In studies conducted at Michigan State University, researchers found that spotted hyenas outperformed many primates in certain problem-solving tasks. They can count. Well, sort of. They can listen to the vocalizations of a rival clan and "count" how many individuals are there. If their own group outnumbers the rivals, they’ll attack. If they’re outnumbered, they stay quiet and hide.
This social intelligence is the glue that keeps the clan together. They recognize individual voices. They remember who owes them a favor and who picked a fight with them three years ago.
Myths vs. Reality
Let's clear the air on a few things because when people search for what do you call a group of hyenas, they usually have a lot of baggage from pop culture.
Myth: They only scavenge.
Reality: Spotted hyenas are highly successful hunters. In many ecosystems, they kill up to 95% of the food they eat. If anything, lions are the ones who steal from hyenas more often than the other way around.
Myth: They are "hermaphrodites."
Reality: This is an old myth because female spotted hyenas have external genitalia that looks very similar to males. It’s a result of high testosterone levels. But they are definitely distinct sexes.
Myth: They are related to dogs.
Reality: Weirdly, hyenas are more closely related to cats. They belong to the suborder Feliformia (cat-like carnivores), though they occupy an evolutionary niche that makes them look and act a bit like canines.
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Why the Collective Noun Matters
Language is a tool. If you’re writing a poem or a children's book, use cackle. It’s evocative. It paints a picture of the dusty, noisy, chaotic energy of the African night.
But if you’re trying to understand the animal, use clan.
It shifts your perspective. It makes you realize that these aren't just "vermin" or "laughing scavengers." They are members of a highly organized society with rules, traditions, and intense family bonds. When a mother hyena returns to the communal den after a night of hunting, the way she greets her cubs—and the way the rest of the clan acknowledges her—is surprisingly tender.
How to Observe Hyena Groups Safely
If you’re ever lucky enough to go on safari in places like the Kruger National Park or the Serengeti, you’ll see these groups in action. Here is how to spot the clan dynamics:
- Look for the Den: The communal den is the heart of the clan. You’ll often see several females and their cubs hanging around the entrance. It’s the safest place for the little ones.
- Watch the Tails: Hyenas communicate a lot with their tails. A tail held high usually means high status or excitement. A tail tucked between the legs? Subordination.
- Listen at Night: You won't just hear the "laugh." You’ll hear the "whoop." The whoop is a long-distance call used to gather the clan. It’s one of the most iconic sounds of the African wilderness.
Future of the Clan
Hyenas are hardy, but they face huge challenges. Habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict are the big ones. Because people perceive them as "pests" or "evil," they don't get the same conservation love that elephants or lions do.
But losing a hyena clan is a disaster for the ecosystem. They are the ultimate cleanup crew. They eat everything—bones, hide, horns—which prevents the spread of disease. They are the guardians of the savanna’s health.
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Next time someone asks you what do you call a group of hyenas, give them the trivia answer, but then tell them about the clan. Tell them about the queens who rule the plains and the complex "politics" that happen under the moonlight.
To really dive deeper into the world of hyenas, check out the work of the Hyena Publications or the IUCN Hyaena Specialist Group. They have incredible resources that move past the "cackle" stereotypes and into the real science of these fascinating animals.
If you're planning a trip to see them, stick to reputable operators who respect the animals' space. Seeing a clan in person, watching them interact with a level of social complexity that rivals our own, is something you won't forget. Don't just settle for the "laughing" label; look for the structure behind the noise.
Actionable Insights for Wildlife Enthusiasts:
- Learn the Vocals: Distinguish between the "whoop" (contact call) and the "giggle" (stress/submission) to understand what a group is doing from a distance.
- Support Specialized Conservation: Donate to groups like the Mara Hyena Project which focus on the long-term study of these specific clan dynamics.
- Education over Myth: Challenge the "scavenger" narrative when you hear it; education is the first step in protecting misunderstood species.
- Photography Tip: If you're photographing a clan, wait for the "greeting ceremony" where members sniff and licks each other—it’s the best way to capture their social bonds on camera.