WI:Domesticated Hyenas

mojojojo

Gone Fishin'
Would it have been possible for humans to have domesticated hyenas, to fill a role similar to that of dogs?
 
I don't think hyenas domesticate well, but if they had that would be slightly awesome. They're practically omnivorous, bright, social and very dangerous creatures that could be used for hunting and warfare, and unlike with dogs (sci-fi cliches notwithstanding), I can just barely see a breed big enough to actually ride. It wouldn't be comfortable or practical for transport (they're not runners and their stamina sucks), but it would be bloody terrifying.

Add battlerhinos with archer towars on their backs and you effectively dejaredise Africa.
 
Look up Guns, Germs and Steel - Egyptians did it.

IIRC they just tamed and trained them. You can do that with most big predators (lions and tigers and bears if you must or run a circus, and cheetahs are actually useful for hunting). I've never read anything about a genuinely domestiated hyena.
 
Seriously, whats the difference?

Grossly oversimplified: a tamed animal will obey humans if told to do so directly (most of the time), but needs to be kept in captivity and is basically still wild. A domesticated animal lives in symbiosis with humans, depends on them for its survival and procreration and basically regards them as companions. Most domesticated species undergo significant changes through domestication, and many bexcome incapable of surviving without humans.
 
Hienas were often kept as pets in acient times
it was a kind of luxury pet for animal traders and rich decadents

the observation about breeds of domestic hienas that could be ridden isnt so inprobbable
theyr stamina does in fact not suck, they can endure a lot and keep on going withouth food or water much longer than dogs, or even most wolves

their whole sceleton is built for long marches

also hienas, when fully grown, are much stronger than dogs, especially in the jaw muscles and legs
the problem would be their mentality and behaviour
hienas are regarded by manny cultures as vile and detestable creatures not just becouse they eat carcases, they are cunning, agressive, greedy, dominant creatures
even with domesticated dogs there are breeds and individuals you can live with like friend and family, and that act ok with other dogs, and breeds that will make your life a living hell if you show the slightes weakness or lack of controll and have the habbit of eating other peoples pets if not on a leash and musle, althou with dogs much depends on upbringing, training and proper socialisation
with hienas just multiply that with 10
people training hienas would probbably be trained themselves in specifically training hienas and this would probbably be a family buisness

one interesting cultural influence might come from hienas having dominant females, wich have false penises growing in the abdomen-groin area, wich they sometimes ewen use, in certain situations
the domestication of these creatures would probbably influence the perception of gender roles and stereotiping, even if olnly by pointing out "the wrong way"

in most breeds, large numbers of females would probbably be sterilised as soon as possible, as they grow really big and get really agressive
 
I'd rep thou for that post if this board had a "rep" system.:D;)

"Rep"?

I've read Guns, Germs, and Steel (in fact, I have it right here), and it goes through a half-dozen characteristics, each of which can, on its own, doom domestication. I think hyenas fail the "Nasty Disposition" test.
 
IIRC they just tamed and trained them. You can do that with most big predators (lions and tigers and bears if you must or run a circus, and cheetahs are actually useful for hunting). I've never read anything about a genuinely domestiated hyena.

@Flocc: too.

Ah - yes, tamed not domesticated.
 
the other big problem with using hienas is the function
what do you make them do actually, if you could hpotetically train them?
dog brain runs on stuff like lojalty, friendship, anger, agression, pride
thats why they could train dogs to suicide charge into spears and sword blades, or hunt down running enemies in a disciplined fasion

hienas brain runs on food, selfpreservation, and ocasionally sex
someone could train them do do tricks for food maybe but i doubt you could realy use them in a battle, exept maybe to scare the oponent

maybe as bodiguard animals if the human has known and raised them all their life
 
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