Chapters 9 through 11 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 9: The Carnivore Rivalry

Through careful observation, Mark and Delia begin to understand the relationships between the brown hyena and other predators. A brown hyena waits until the lions are done feeding before going near a kill. However, it is surprising to see that in several cases, Star and another hyena named Shadow, both chase away a leopard dubbed the Pink Panther. After the leopard kills his prey, the Pink Panther timidly retreats and allows the brown hyenas to take his prey. The browns are aggressive and their strong jaws could break the leopard's leg. A pack of wild dogs intimidates Star and devours a kill she had commandeered. In the Valley of Deception, after the lions, the browns are the dominant carnivore followed by leopards, cheetahs and jackals.

Chapter 10: Lions in the Rain

Mid-January, 1976 brings the first rains...