Felids Interactions - Interspecific Conflicts

[Pantherinae]

It is also important to say that leopard and hyena competition really depends on where in Africa. Zambia a leopard male stands no chance the biggest hyenas are from Zambia and leopards have some big male there, but no 75-90 induviduval's and there I have seen a hyena just chasing a mating pair of leopards with no reasons. But in Kruger where hyenas are also big and leopards said to be huge The balance is more even. 

I think it's more even than You think, hyenas I have seen chasing large male leopards and also The other way around. I do not think a large dominant hyena has any fear of a leopard just respect. Also less dominant hyenas are easaly scared as they lack confidence, but hyenas with alot of confidence and a good size is a very dangous animal, remember they can kill Massive animals up to three times their size alone! Hyenas can't defend themselves as good as a cat no doubt, but I have seen a hyena survive attacks from 4 lionesses and would have a good chance of surviving a attack from 5 leopards aswell. Also hyenas can survive with three legs, and can take bigger risk's than a leopard because The can fall back on The other clan members, that's probably also a good factor why some hyenas are so bold and are willing to take so big risk's! And leopard's are more carefull, a god bite from a hyena in The paw could mean death for The leopard! 

I think if leopard's where a normal threat to hyenas it would have been captured on film and hyenas would be more carefull around them, but some male leopards can ofcourse adapt The habbit of learning The skill's of killing them, but it's probably very rare, and it must be a massive leopard still I doubt a dominant animal. 

Either way both animals are very powerfull animals and deserves a lot of respect!  Reply