Moms can be a lot of fun. Just ask these three hyena cubs which enjoyed wrestling and playing with their mother in a poignant sighting.
A jovial moment of playtime
These tiny cubs were still small, but this didn’t stop them from giving their all at playtime.
Hyena cubs are born in a surprisingly advanced state compared to many other carnivores. Their eyes are open at birth, and they already have small, sharp teeth.
This early development reflects the competitive nature of hyena society, where survival often depends on strength and dominance from the very beginning.
In litters such as this one, it is common for siblings to establish a hierarchy almost immediately, sometimes engaging in intense rivalry. Despite this, when they are slightly older and the initial struggles for dominance settle, play becomes a central part of their development.
Cubs show their teeth as they playfully wrestle
These little guys opened their mouths to show some sharp teeth, and their mother reciprocated, entertaining their playful gestures.
They tugged at one another, and even at their mother; one of them even pulling at her tail! If it was any other animal pulling at her tail, the mother might have retaliated; however which mother doesn’t appreciate a little tail-pulling from her mini-me?
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The cubs encircled their mother, and chased around her. All the while, the family communicated through expressive vocalisations.
Hyenas are vocal creatures and who knows what was expressed between the mother and the cubs? What was clear was that this was a devoted Mom who was highly-skilled at keeping her babies in check.
Mother hyena goes all out to accommodate cubs
The interaction between the mother hyena and her cubs was both gentle and purposeful. The mother lowered her head and nudged a cub with her muzzle, prompting a playful response.
The cubs sprang forward with exaggerated confidence, snapping their jaws in a harmless display. This kind of play mimics the behaviours the hyena cubs will need later in life; including hunting, fighting, and social interaction within the clan.
The mother also participated by lying down, making herself more accessible to the busy cubs. Her size and strength were immense compared to theirs, however she showed remarkable control.
She allowed the cubs to climb over her body, tug at her ears, and even bite at her thick fur! This tolerance, however passive it might have appeared; was actually a deliberate part of her training for her little ones. By engaging in these interactions, the mother was helping her cubs build coordination, muscle strength, and confidence!
Playtime forms a foundation for a successful, ‘social’ future
Hyenas are actually highly social animals. For these cubs, the interactions with one another and with Mom will provide a foundation for interaction with other members of the clan.
However, in this moment ‘training’ was the last thing on their minds. Playing was the order of the day and with their mother roped in, this was going to be a beautiful morning together.