Hyena

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Hyenas

Relative of the Cat: Hyenas look remarkably similar to dogs, but in fact are more closely related to cats. Fur color is sandy to gray-brown with dark spots. The front legs are relatively long in comparison to the hind legs, giving this animal a distinct profile. Africa is their usual home base, but some hyenas can be found in southern parts of Asia.

Built to Kill: In packs hyenas are formidable hunters and can take down animals as large as zebras. They are also talented scavengers and have no fear when protecting a kill from other animals, even lions. Their jaws have bone-crunching strength and their digestive systems are adapted to digest bone and skin, animal parts that other predators cannot handle.

Hysterical Hyenas: The largest species of hyena is the spotted hyena, which can weigh over 150 pounds. The spotted hyena shows submission to other members of the pack by emitting a variety of sounds, the most famous being the hyena's laugh.

DID YOU KNOW?

Humble Origins: Hyenas likely descended from small, arboreal creatures that resemble modern-day civets. A civet is a long, slender, cat-like animal with an elongated muzzle.

The Giant Hyena: The largest hyena species that ever lived, the giant hyena, was about the size of a lion and could crush elephant bones.

Smart as a Monkey?: Hyenas are remarkably intelligent, perhaps rivaling monkeys. Their societies are structured similar to those of baboons, macaques and vervet monkeys, and they socialize and cooperate in similar ways.

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The Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena Profile
Spotted hyenas are famed scavengers and often dine on the leftovers of other predators. But these hardy beasts are also skilled hunters that will take down wildebeest or antelope. They also kill and eat birds, lizards, snakes, and insects.

In an increasingly overpopulated Africa, hyenas and humans come into frequent contact. In fact, the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania actually leave their dead to be consumed by hyenas. However, these intelligent and bold animals will raid food stores and crops and are blamed for many livestock and even some human deaths. In some areas they have been heavily hunted as destructive pests.

Spotted hyenas are the largest of three hyena species. Brown and striped hyenas are the other two. Although hyenas appear similar to dogs, they are actually more closely related to cats. They live throughout much of Africa and eastwards through Arabia to India. Spotted hyenas live together in large groups called clans that may include up 80 individuals and are led by females.

Spotted hyenas have good hearing and sharp eyesight at night. They are fast and can run for long distances without tiring. Packs work together effectively to isolate a herd animal, sometimes one that is ill or infirm, and pursue it to the death. The victors often squabble over the spoils, either among themselves or with other powerful animals like lions.

Spotted hyenas are quite vocal and make a wide variety of sounds, including the "laughing" that has long been associated with their name.

Spotted Hyena Range (In the yellow)

Fast Facts

Type: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Average lifespan in the wild: Up to 25 years
Size: Head and body, 34 to 59 in (86 to 150 cm); Tail, 10 to 14 in (25 to 36 cm)
Weight: 110 to 190 lbs (50 to 86 kg)
Group name: Clan

Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man

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Credit:

Information © AnimalPlanet.com
Information & Pictures © NationalGeographic.com