Teeth, tusks, and spikes: Repeated den sharing between predator and prey in an African Savannah

Abstract

We have been monitoring spotted hyaena dens with camera traps at our site since 2016. We describe a novel phenomenon: concurrent subterranean den sharing between spotted hyaenas, warthogs, and crested porcupines at a wildlife conservancy in Kenya. We discovered two different hyaena clans that occasionally shared active dens with warthogs and porcupines in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 but not since. We speculate on the reasons why and how this cohabitation arrangement arose and suggest that it might be based on a ‘healthy respect’ for the threats presented by their mutually formidable weaponry. We hope this note will encourage others to describe similar behaviour.

Carnivore coexistence without competition: giant otters are more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters

“…Dens are burrows or lairs that serve myriad functions including places to raise offspring, feed and shelter. The same den may be used by multiple species at once, even those that are unlikely to peacefully coexist such as intraguild competitors, or predators and prey ( Dupuis-Désormeaux et al, 2023 ; Mori, Menchetti & Balestrieri, 2015 ). Semi-aquatic otters use dens mainly to shelter, rest and feed young ( Kruuk, 2006 ).…”