communication

All hyenas participate in olfactory communication, marking their territory by pasting an oily, yellow substance onto bushes and grass. They excrete this substance from glands in their anus. Hyenas also sniff the genitals and anus during a greeting ceremony, which can last up to 10 minutes. They also mark by scraping the ground with their paws, releasing scent from glands on their feet.

Hyenas have a range of vocalizations including whining, giggling, growling, and grumbling. Most hyenas only vocalize with members of their family. A long-distance cackle is rare. The famous hyena sounds are peculiar to the spotted hyena. These are the whooping call they use for warning and the 'laugh' that indicates fright.

Hyenas also use visual communication to indicate mood or rank within the society. These can demonstrate dominance or submission to another hyena. A dominant hyena will bristle, erect her tail and ears, hunch her back and growl. A submissive hyena will present his anal glands, flatten his ears, lick his lips, and grimace.

When fighting, hyenas bite each other in the neck or rump areas, wrestle muzzles by gripping the other's lower jaw, and often drop their hindquarters to the ground to protect their back legs.