Behind this book lie 12 years of research into the comparative behavioural ecology of the brown and spotted hyaenas. Set in the semi arid region of the Kalahari, the author examines the roles of the two species in this finely balanced ecosystem and highlights the factors and mechanisms responsible for limiting the populations. Feeding ecology and social systems form the core themes of the study and reveal much new data on the links between food distribution, diet and behaviour. The debt of research and extensive range of new material contained in this book will have a direct impact on our present knowledge of hyaenas and our considerations for the conservation management of these animals. The work is aimed at senior graduates, researchers and professionals in zoology.
