Biology
The Influence of Social Dominance on Stress Physiology in Spotted Hyenas
Quick fact
Female spotted hyenas are the dominant sex, and they have significantly higher baseline levels of the stress hormone cortisol than males—yet they are not chronically stressed; instead, these high levels are an adaptation to their aggressive social environment.
Why this is interesting
In a group of spotted hyenas, where rank is not just a status symbol but a matter of survival, what does it actually feel like in the body?