Thread by @tinkeringprim8

NEXT UP: SPOTTED HYENA VS. COYOTE! #2018MMM

This battle was a collaborative effort, with valuable input from @TCastanea and @AnneWHilborn. #2018MMM

Both animals arrive in Round 2 unscathed: Hyena after shredding the tiny Belo Horizonte marmoset, and Coyote having scared off an opossum. #2018MMM

As we learned in Round 1, Harar hyenas are not your average carnivores. They roam the city streets and are not only tolerated by humans, but viewed as neighbors & spiritual guides. The animals get rid of garbage & bad spirits, and locals believe they tell the future. #2018MMM

"Hyena Whisperers" in the city have a particuarly special relationship with the animals, feeding them meat (sometimes directly from their mouths!). #2018MMM pri.org/stories/2010-0…

While these narrators are not aware of any "Coyote Whisperers," many North American Indiginous peoples' traditions portray Coyote as the Trickster, able to kill giants. #2018MMM indigenouspeople.net/coyokill.htm

Both coyotes and hyenas, in areas where they are in close proximity to humans, sometimes kill livestock as well (including @TCastanea's chickens). #2018MMM

The outskirts of the walled city of Harar, Ethiopia provide the setting for tonight's scene at dusk. #2018MMM

Coyote, not familiar with the area, has stumbled across a dump along Highway 10. He immediately begins to hunt for one of his favorite types of prey: rodents! #2018MMM

Although the Harar hyenas are provisioned by the city's residents, they, like hyenas in other areas of Northern Ethiopia, also scavenge at local dumps. #2018MMM publish.csiro.au/wr/pdf/WR14228

Tonight, Hyena stops at the dump on her way to visit the city and quickly encounters prowling Coyote. #2018MMM

Though Coyote (20kg) is substantially smaller than Hyena (60kg), he goes on the offensive and begins to harass Hyena. Like jackals sometimes do, he targets her most vulnerable spot: the rump! #2018MMM #babygotback

(Note: above video is of a Brown Hyena (Hyaena brunnea), not a Spotted Hyena like the ones in Harar) #2018MMM

Hyena tucks her rear under her defensively and "groans" aggressively at Coyote. #2018MMM acoustics.org/pressroom/http…

Coyote is no fool & recognizes poor odds when he sees them. He darts away, toward the highway, with Hyena pursuing. #2018MMM

Coyote crosses the highway safely...#2018MMM

....but Hyena is rammed by a car! #2018MMM

Vehicle collisions are a major source of mortality in wildlife including spotted hyena cousin striped hyena #2018MMM researchgate.net/profile/Ehsan_…

Although Harar hyenas rarely attack local livestock, depredation by hyenas in other areas of Ethiopia causes conflict with humans & can create negative attitudes toward them. #2018MMM tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.275…

Tonight, Hyena was hit by a motorist from the Kombolcha region, who viewed hyenas as pests, & did not even try to swerve to avoid hitting her. #2018MMM

As the car's taillights recede into the distance Coyote returns to the dump, promptly catches a rat, & digs into his meal. #2018MMM

COYOTE OUTMANEUVERS HYENA!!!!!! #2018MMM #UpsetCity