Ever feel like a joke? The lion in this video does. At first glance, this video shows a poor lion getting bullied by some hyenas. The hyenas tried to pull on Big Cat’s tail, and he seemed helplessly grabbed by them. But what happens when enough is enough and the lion decides to rebel against his bully? Read on to find out!
The opening shot features a majestic lion, its regal rear dominating the right side of the frame. On the left side of the frame are three malevolent hyenas. Their laughter filled the air as they bullied the lonely lion, playing with his tail.
hyena laughter
Are Hyenas Really Taunting Lions? Not like humans. Hyenas make a loud bark that sounds like laughter, but it’s a form of communication. Famous vocalizations expressing frustration, excitement, or fear.
Hyenas “laugh” during hunts and when they gather around their prey in packs. A few seconds into the video, you can see the lion eating. Fresh prey is what makes hyenas behave so boldly. They continued giggling, leaned closer to the tail, and worked up the courage to pull it.
Why Do Cats Get So Angry If You Grab Their Tails? Domestic and feral cats are interesting about their tails because they are sensitive. They hurt if you grab them. Tails are extensions of the spine, which means they’re filled with nerve endings. That’s why grabbing a cat by the tail is a huge no-no.
hyena and lion

©Abdelrahman Hassanein/Shutterstock.com
The hyenas in this video take quite a risk! Lions have huge jaws that can grow up to 11 inches wide. Their mouths are filled with sharp canine teeth capable of tearing large chunks from their prey. A lion can easily take a large chunk off a hyena that gets too close.
Why would a hyena take such a risk? They know they have a chance to steal the lion’s food. Lions and hyenas are the dominant predators in many African ecosystems. They share many of the same territories and eat many of the same things. They all love to eat prey from small lizards to large giraffes!
At the end of the video, the hyena mustered up the courage to do it. They act and work together to find the tail. Nor are they taking it lightly.
The hyena yanks the lion’s tail! Enraged, he let out a loud whine and whipped around. The hyenas knew immediately that they had gone too far. Their only hope is to escape as quickly as possible.
By the end of the video, the hyena scurries away without even taking a bite of the lion’s dinner. The Lion stared in their direction, warning them not to mess with him again.
The lesson here? Don’t mess with the lion, especially when he’s eating! Watch it in action for yourself in the video below.
next…
- Watch Olobor, fearless lion attack over 20 hyenas
- Jaguars and lions fight over toys like kids
- Watch a lioness fight an entire pack of wild dogs

I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.