Two to 6 weeks after whelping inside the entrance of an unused aardvark or other burrow, other transports young to a communal den containing youngsters of different ages. Weaning takes several months beginning at 1 year, marked by frequent tantrums. Yearlings tag along on hunts but rarely become competent before 1.5 years. Because fighting occurs in the cubs' narrow tunnels, mothers are powerless to intervene. There is no reproductive competition between siblings of opposite sex and consequently no killing.
Hyenas usually lose their kills and have to wait for lions to finish eating.
However, hyenas in force often unnerve female and immature lions by advancing threateningly and noisily shoulder to shoulder, though rarely attacking. They get nowhere with big male lions. DOGS Hyenas regularly try to profit from this predator's hunting efficiency, but even when greatly outnumbered, wild dogs usually stand off hyenas by mobbing and punishing one at a time. Lack of cooperative defense places hyenas at disadvantage. Spotted hyenas take their kills at every opportunity.