Hyenas at Play: Unveiling the Lighter Side of Predators
Even predators need to laugh sometimes.
What We Think We Know About Hyenas
If there is one animal that often draws a lopsided reaction from people, it’s the hyena. Mention the name, and images of snarling scavengers, eerie cackles, and brutish gang behaviour usually come to mind. Long painted as the villains of the savannah, hyenas rarely get the chance to play the hero in anyone’s narrative—let alone be seen as fun-loving or charming.
Yet, as a wildlife photographer spending some time among these creatures, I’ve had the rare privilege of witnessing something else entirely. A different chapter in their story. One where hyenas roll in the dust, nudge each other like mischievous pups, or exhibit moments of connection that speak to something far more nuanced than their fearsome reputation suggests. It’s in these unexpected glimpses of gentleness and fun that “Hyenas at Play” (Okusolisayo - meaning suspicious) was born—a fine art photographic piece aimed at reframing our understanding.
When I first captured this scene, I was struck not just by the visual story unfolding in front of me, but by how it challenged my own assumptions. That moment led me to ask a few questions many others also wonder:
Are hyenas really just scavengers, or is there more to their behaviour?
Do predators like hyenas have moments of fun and play?
How can art and photography help shift perceptions about misunderstood animals?
So here I want to explore how an image—just one frame—can bring new energy into a conversation that’s long been one-sided.
Challenging Misconceptions About Hyenas Through Art
Hyenas are, in many ways, the anti-hero of the African bush. Overshadowed by lions and leopards, they’ve been typecast as scrappy opportunists, loathed and feared in equal measure. But photography allows us to look again, to frame them differently.
In fine art, every image carries weight—not just visually, but emotionally. “Hyenas at Play” is one such work. The composition centres not on the kill or the chaos but the connection—a hyena sauntering in a wily fashion past me, quite simply, with a mischievous look in its eyes as it carries it bone. Art has the power to reframe a narrative, especially when it departs from what is expected. In this case, what’s expected is brutality. What’s delivered is casual mischief.
For art buyers, this is more than just a pretty picture—it’s a conversation starter. An emotional twist. A reminder that predators, too, have quirks, even perhaps a sense of humour. And for those who hang wildlife art in their homes or galleries, these are the pieces that invite questions. They deepen the gaze. They stay with you.
Capturing Playful Behaviours in Wildlife Photography
Photographing wildlife is often about timing—but with hyenas, it’s also about trust. These animals don’t reveal their lighter sides easily. They’re wary, observant, and highly social within their own clans. To witness them play, you need patience. You need silence. You need to become part of the background.
The scene captured here unfolded after hours of waiting, tucked quietly near a waterhole as the sun dipped low. At first, there was the usual cautious pacing, the scanning for threats. But then came the spark: one hyena nipped at the other’s haunch and darted off. What followed was a tumble of movement—leaping, feinting, brushing up against one another in ways that felt almost theatrical. The kind of behaviour one might expect from puppies, not predators. Then there was the prize, as one hyena laughingly almost “won” the bone in the game.
Moments like these are precious. They tell us that animals, even those labelled as ruthless, have dimensions. They are not just teeth and instinct. They feel. They interact. And sometimes, they just want to play or tease.
For a photographer, such moments are gold—but they are also reminders. Reminders that being in the wild isn’t just about survival or spectacle. It’s about emotion. And the lens, at its best, doesn’t just capture—it connects.
The Importance of Showcasing Diverse Animal Behaviours in Art
There’s a habit, especially in wildlife imagery, to prioritise drama. Predators hunting. Prey fleeing. Blood, dust, tension. While those scenes are very real, they’re not the whole story. Not even close.
Animals behave in complex, often surprising ways—especially those that live in social groups. Hyenas have one of the most intricate social systems among carnivores. Their clans are matriarchal, and their communication involves a fascinating mix of vocalisations, body language, and scent.
When art focuses only on violence, it reinforces stereotypes. But when it shifts to include nuance—play, teasing, mischief, affection, hierarchy, humour—it becomes educational. It opens a door. That’s what “Hyenas at Play” tries to do. It doesn’t deny their role as predators. It simply reminds us that they’re also thinkers, feelers, siblings, caretakers.
In art collections, pieces that reveal such nuances become focal points. They change the tone of a space. They challenge the viewer to pause. To reconsider. And in a world full of noise, that moment of pause is something rare and valuable.
How Such Imagery Adds Depth and Conversation to Art Collections
Collectors of fine art photography are often drawn not just to beauty, but to meaning. They want pieces that provoke thought, stir emotion, tell stories beyond the frame. This image fits that space between the visual and the visceral.
Imagine a guest standing before it in your lounge or gallery. They pause, furrow their brow, smile. “Is he doing something naughty?” they ask. And just like that, a dialogue begins—not about death or dominance, but about personality. About context. About how much we still don’t know about animals we thought we understood.
Such images don’t just hang on a wall. They invite you in. They ask you to see again, to think again. For art buyers, this is the value: not just in composition or technique, but in the conversation that follows.
Key Points to Consider:
Hyenas exhibit complex behaviours that include mischief, teasing, play, affection, and cooperation.
Art can challenge long-held biases and bring new light to misunderstood species.
Wildlife photography is about more than timing—it's about patience and connection.
Play behaviour in predators is underrepresented but deeply revealing.
Nuanced imagery adds story, depth, and emotional impact to any collection.
Conclusion: Seeing Hyenas Differently
We’ve all heard the phrase “laughing like a hyena.” It’s usually not meant kindly. But perhaps it’s time to ask—what if that laughter meant something more?
Through “Hyenas at Play,” I wanted to frame a new narrative. One that still respects the wildness of these creatures but also shows their cheeky sides.
As a wildlife photographer and storyteller, my goal isn’t just to document—it’s to witness. And what I witnessed here was connection. Play. The echo of something familiar and deeply human in the dance of two dusty predators as they romped at dusk.
Art gives us that gift. The chance to see the unseen. To reframe, to reimagine. It’s why a photograph can be more than a frozen moment. It can be an invitation. And in this case, it’s an invitation to laugh along with the hyenas—to see their mischief, their bonds, their lighter side.
Because sometimes, even in the wild, laughter is survival.
Resources
Hyenas at Play Resource – https://adamkossowski.com/wildlife-photo-journal/okusolisayo
An insightful look into the playful nature of hyenas, challenging common perceptions.
Hyena Behaviour and Social Structure Resource – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/spotted-hyena
An article exploring the complex social behaviours of spotted hyenas.
