The Denver Zoo has two separate hyena clans, but one very famous whirling dervish among them.
The zoo posted a video of one of its five hyenas spinning in a pool of water for a head-spinning 35 seconds.
“Have you ever seen a hyena get the zoomies?” the facility tweeted over the weekend. “Because THIS is a hyena getting the zoomies.”
Huh? How? Why? What?
“On a particularly hot day, Kelele was just completely overjoyed at the presence of a tasty bone in his pool, and the result was just pure fun and excitement!” the zoo explained.
Have you ever seen a hyena get the zoomies? Because THIS is a hyena getting the zoomies. How did this happen? On a particularly hot day, Kelele was just completely overjoyed at the presence of a tasty bone in his pool, and the result was just pure fun and excitement! pic.twitter.com/32CI7FE7bS
— Denver Zoo (@DenverZoo) July 21, 2019
Hyenas are neither canines nor felines — they’re actually from the family Hyaenidae — and they are incredibly bright.
But sometimes they are misunderstood.
Which is why the zoo is hoping to debunk some myths.
They’re smart, strong, social, and the most successful hunters in Africa. Are we describing the African lion? No, we’re talking about the spotted hyena! Here at Denver Zoo, we know the species’ true nature is a far cry from how they’re often portrayed. https://t.co/6dZbiCNPyv
— Denver Zoo (@DenverZoo) July 21, 2019
Photo Denver Zoo/Twitter