Spotted Hyena

Scientific Name: Crocuta crocuta

Although thought to be sly and cowardly, hyenas are actually highly intelligent with a unique social system. Even though they look more like dogs, they are actually more similar to cats like lions and cheetahs..

  • Size:
    • Weight: Males 99 to 132 pounds, females 120 to 154 pounds
    • Head-to-Body Length: Average 51 inches
    • Shoulder Height: 28 to 36 inches
    • Tail Length: 11 to 14 inches
  • Diet: Birds, mammals, fish, eggs, carrion, and occasionally fruits and plants
  • Habitat: Able to live in many habitats, including semi-desert, savanna and open woodland, dense dry woodland and even mountain habitats
  • Range in the Wild: Found in Africa, typically south of the Sahara

Conservation Status

Listed as Least Concern - they are widespread in Africa with a total population exceeding 10,000.


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Spotted Hyena Jumping Into the Air