Photo by beverlyjoubert / Their powerful build, their inherent fierceness, their indomitable attitude … This is how we usually explain female spotted hyenas’ matriarchal hold over the social order. Yet the reality of how females establish and maintain their dominance over males is probably a little more complex. Research suggests power and control are less about brute force and more about being able to rely on a little help from your friends. It turns out female hyenas can count on more social support as they navigate the daily challenges and tricky interactions of hyena life … It’s these social bonds that are their greatest strength. #hyenas #wildlife #spottedhyena