Spotted Hyena Profile

16. Spotted Hyena Profile

Common Name: Spotted Hyena
Scientific Name: Crocuta crocuta
Genus: Crocuta
Family: Hyaenidae
Order: Carnivora
Class: Mammalia
Phylum: Chordata
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN)

Physical Description

The spotted hyena is the largest of the hyena species and is known for its distinctive coat, which features a sandy to greyish-brown color with dark brown or black spots covering most of its body. Their powerful build includes a large, muscular neck, a broad head with strong jaws, and slightly sloping hindquarters, which give them their characteristic 'hunched' appearance.

• Length: 95 – 165 cm (head and body)

• Height: 70 – 92 cm (at the shoulder)

• Weight: 40 – 86 kg (females tend to be larger than males)

Their front legs are longer than the back legs, making them appear to walk in a sloping manner. Their ears are rounded, and they have a thick mane of hair along their neck. 

Spotted Hyenas live in savannas, grasslands, woodlands, semi-deserts, montane forests and prefer areas with open landscapes for hunting but will also inhabit dense forests and even urban areas.

Speed & Agility

The spotted hyena is a surprisingly fast and endurance-driven predator, capable of:

Speed: Spotted Hyenas can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph) during a chase. 

Successful hunting: Spotted hyenas have a success rate of 75% when part of a clan (only 15% when hunting individually). This shows how important their teamwork is!

Unlike many other large carnivores, hyenas are built for stamina rather than short bursts of speed, allowing them to pursue prey over long distances without tiring easily. Their strong, muscular forelimbs and sloping back give them excellent traction and stability, especially on uneven terrain. Spotted hyenas are also incredibly agile, able to make sharp turns while chasing prey, making them highly effective hunters and scavengers in the African savannah.

Diet

Spotted hyenas are famous for their role as both scavengers and skilled hunters. Their diet is diverse and includes:

• Large ungulates like wildebeest, zebra, and antelope.

• Smaller animals like birds, reptiles, and insects.

• Carrion from animals killed by other predators, thanks to their powerful digestive system that can process even bones.

Despite their reputation as scavengers, spotted hyenas hunt about 50-80% of their food, making them efficient and powerful predators.

Social Structure

Spotted hyenas live in complex, highly structured social groups called clans, which can consist of up to 80 individuals. Their social system is matriarchal, meaning the females are larger, more dominant, and hold the highest ranks within the clan. Clans are territorial, and the spotted hyena's loud, eerie laugh-like vocalizations play a key role in communication among group members.

Fun Fact: Their famous "laugh" is actually a signal of submission or excitement, not laughter!

Reproduction

Spotted hyenas have a unique reproductive system. Females have external genitalia that resemble males’, which complicates mating and birthing. Despite this, they are successful breeders.

• Gestation period: Around 110 days

• Litter size: 1-3 cubs

• Weaning: Around 12-16 months

Cubs are born with their eyes open and their sharp teeth already developed, and they compete fiercely for access to their mother’s milk. In the wild, females generally give birth in isolated dens, where cubs remain hidden for the first few weeks.

Interesting Facts

• Bone Crushers: Spotted hyenas have the most powerful jaws of any mammal, capable of crushing bones to access the nutrient-rich marrow inside.

• Intelligent Predators: Spotted hyenas are highly intelligent and have demonstrated complex problem-solving abilities. They communicate using a wide range of vocalizations, including the famous "laugh," growls, whoops, and screams.

• Long-Distance Travelers: They can travel up to 50 kilometers in a single night in search of food.

• Bizarre Anatomy: Female Spotted Hyenas have genitalia similar to that of males, which is called a ''Pseudo-Penis''. Its role is still unknown to science. Learn More Here

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Role in the Ecosystem

Spotted hyenas play a crucial role in their ecosystem as both scavengers and predators. By consuming carrion and leftover prey from larger carnivores, they help clean up the environment, reducing the spread of disease. Additionally, their hunting strategies contribute to regulating prey populations, ensuring a balanced ecosystem. Their social structures and interactions also influence the dynamics of other species within their habitat. 

Why They're At Risk

Least Concern, but facing threats (IUCN Status)

Spotted Hyenas are classified as least concern but still face significant challenges from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and persecution. As they often live near human settlements, they are at risk of being killed in retaliation for livestock predation. Climate change could also affect their prey availability, making their future uncertain in some areas. You can help by supporting wildlife protection laws to prevent poaching and habitat destruction, and advocating for the preservation of savannas and grasslands. Educating others about the importance of hyenas can ensure their survival.