In spite of their reputation as cowardly scavengers, spotted hyenas are actually highly interesting and intelligent animals. They are efficient hunters that can bring down such large animals as buffalos and zebras. Powerful teeth and jaws enable them to crush and consume bones to get to the nutritious marrow, before the stomach's highly concentrated hydrochloric acid helps digest the bone. Spotted hyenas are often seen in female-dominated territorial groups called clans, in which all males are subordinate to all females. Males leave the clan when they reach adulthood, but females tend to stay and inherit their mother's rank.

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