Association of seasonal reproductive patterns with changing food availability in an equatorial carnivore, the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta)

Reproductive seasonalitywas examined inan equatorial populationof free-living spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) inKenya. The study population was observed continuously for 10 years, duringwhich time the dates of all births, conceptions, weanings,andcubdeathswererecorded.Local preyabundancewasestimatedtwoto four timespermonth, andrainfallwas recordeddailythroughout thestudyperiod. Birthsoccurredduringeverymonthoftheyear,butadistincttroughinbirthsoccurred fromFebruary toMay.Thistroughoccurredapproximatelyonegestationperiodafter thephaseof theannual cycleduringwhichpreyanimalswere leastabundant inthe home range of thehyaenas, andconceptionsoccurredmost frequentlywhen food abundancewasgreatest.Neitherrainfallnorcubmortalitywerecorrelatedwithbirths or conceptions.Thus,althoughspottedhyaenasarecapableofbreedingthroughoutthe year, theyexhibitamoderatedegreeofseasonalitythatmost likelyreflectsresponsesto seasonalvariationinenergyavailability.