THE GIGGLER
By Christy Lowman
Burke County
I think it’s great that God made an animal that laughs. After all, laughter is the best medicine, right? All of us need more laughter in our lives. This animal not only giggles but laughs out loud. Do you know what it is?
A spotted hyena is the only hyena out of the four different types that laugh. It is often called a “laughing hyena.” The spotted hyena’s vocal repertoire is unique. This repertoire allows it to make laughing and giggling sounds. However, it only makes these sounds when it is nervous or uncertain about something. Not because it finds something funny. The spotted hyena is also able to make a whooping call at night that sounds like a wolf’s howl. Some scientists think that this hyena can make up to 28 different vocalizations.
Spotted hyenas are the largest hyenas. They are brown with black spots. The females are larger than the males and therefore dominate the clan. They are also more aggressive and stronger than the spotted males. Their leader is the most dominant female in the clan. The clan is made of as many as 130 members, mostly females. They live in a “fusion=fission” society. This means the entire clan is hardly ever all together. Most of the time each hyena is on its own or stays in small groups but every so often the whole clan will meet. These hyenas also only mate with other clan members to protect their gene pool since each clan is usually made up of their kin.
Although spotted hyenas look like large dogs they are not. They are not related to dogs at all. These carnivores can kill much larger animals than themselves, including giraffes and cape buffalos. They are very successful hunters and can chase their prey up for several miles and up to or until the other animal wears out. Their power bite is 1100 psi. The average psi of a person is 150-200 psi. Their jaws can break 2 ½ inch bones so they can eat bone marrow which is found only inside bones.
Their pups are born with completely black fur. They are born “precocial” which means they are born more advanced. They already have open eyes, teeth, and muscles when they are born.
These carnivores are very intelligent. They can count how many members opposing clans have. Young males will always join the clan that has the least number of other males in it.
Even though laughing is good for the soul there are times when laughing is not nice. Can you think of some examples?
As we speed closer to end times. There are and will be more people who will laugh at you for being a Christian. Yes, that is right, people will make fun of you for believing in God and Jesus. They will laugh, and call you names. Unfortunately, I’m seeing this already. Jesus warns us in the scriptures that this will happen if we are a believer and stand up for Him. Are you ready to stand up for Jesus and your faith?
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
Dear Lord, as we continue our journey You have set before us here on earth help us be strong and courageous and stand up for You and our faith. Help us not be fearful when we are made fun of or laughed at. In Jesus’s name, we pray, Amen.
Bibliography
https://measurements101.com/how-hard-can-a-human-bite/
https://wildtomorrow.org/blog/2020/5/7/10-amazing-facts-about-hyenas
https://www.treehugger.com/incredible-hyena-facts-5179414
https://www.balisafarimarinepark.com/facts-about-hyena/
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Christy Lowman is a Christian author and illustrator that lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband and two children. She enjoys writing and illustrating books for all ages. Some of her short stories are published with Guideposts and HCI. Christy gives all the glory to God in everything she does. A portion of every book sold from the Small Bible Character Series will be donated to battle human trafficking. If you enjoy her books, “like’ her author page on Facebook and let her know! You can buy her books at //www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AChristy+Lowman&s=relevancerank&text=Christy+Lowman&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1. You can reach her at //www.facebook.com/authorChristyLowman/
or christyssoaps@yahoo.com
You can read more Christian news from Christy here.
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