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Description
The ferocity between lions and hyenas is astounding, and is one of the most well-known rivalries in the known world. Many depictions of this endless war have been covered in many forms of media, whether it be film, TV, art, or literature. Yet while the lion is immortalised as the "king of beasts", hyenas are portrayed as cowardly poachers, stealing kills whenever they get the chance while laughing along the way; thus they're looked down on by the masses as ugly beings with zero remorse.

Yet reality is far more forgiving, for hyenas are very smart, on par with chimps when it comes to puzzle-solving, and hyena hunts end successfully more than a lion's; they in turn scavenge off of them more than the other way around as a result. Yet it's not only about food; living on the same land and filling the same niche as top predator causes more friction, as they'll more often than not bump into each other and call in reinforcements. While lionesses are more than capable than holding their own against a clan, they'll retreat if the odds swing into the hyenas' favour (by at least a 3:1 ratio).

Against males, it's a different story entirely; even if outnumbered by even 30 to 1, a clan will not dare touch a lion, fearing that if they attack, some of them WILL die alongside him. And when a male decides to attack a hyena while on patrol, it's already game over as his size and strength will crush the pour soul, as seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPCPy…

Both predators will also kill off their respective opponent's cubs to ensure they'll never allow them to become a future thorn in their sides, so there's a few things Disney got right in this rivalry (aside from being boycotted by a hyena expert for defamation ).
The name of this piece is also the name of the documentary that emphasised this war to its fullest extent; definitely worth several watchings!

Description
The ferocity between lions and hyenas is astounding, and is one of the most well-known rivalries in the known world. Many depictions of this endless war have been covered in many forms of media, whether it be film, TV, art, or literature. Yet while the lion is immortalised as the "king of beasts", hyenas are portrayed as cowardly poachers, stealing kills whenever they get the chance while laughing along the way; thus they're looked down on by the masses as ugly beings with zero remorse.

Yet reality is far more forgiving, for hyenas are very smart, on par with chimps when it comes to puzzle-solving, and hyena hunts end successfully more than a lion's; they in turn scavenge off of them more than the other way around as a result. Yet it's not only about food; living on the same land and filling the same niche as top predator causes more friction, as they'll more often than not bump into each other and call in reinforcements. While lionesses are more than capable than holding their own against a clan, they'll retreat if the odds swing into the hyenas' favour (by at least a 3:1 ratio).

Against males, it's a different story entirely; even if outnumbered by even 30 to 1, a clan will not dare touch a lion, fearing that if they attack, some of them WILL die alongside him. And when a male decides to attack a hyena while on patrol, it's already game over as his size and strength will crush the pour soul, as seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPCPy…

Both predators will also kill off their respective opponent's cubs to ensure they'll never allow them to become a future thorn in their sides, so there's a few things Disney got right in this rivalry (aside from being boycotted by a hyena expert for defamation ).
The name of this piece is also the name of the documentary that emphasised this war to its fullest extent; definitely worth several watchings!