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146 Featured Specimen
Spotted hyena

Details

Spotted hyena

Crocuta crocuta

Size
1–1.7 m · 45–85 kg
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Sociality
Social
Lifespan
10-20 years

The spotted hyena is a social carnivore of African savannas and grasslands. Nocturnal clans combine hunting, scavenging, and strong social bonds.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
AfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses savanna, grassland, and open scrub. Productive prey areas with resting cover and den sites are important.

Appearance

Body length is about 95-165 cm and weight about 45-85 kg. A high-shouldered build, spotted coat, powerful jaws, and rounded ears are distinctive.

Behavior

Nocturnal clans have complex social structure. Calls, scent marks, and postures maintain contact and territory.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, both hunting and scavenging. Strong jaws crush bone, and groups can pursue large prey.

Reproduction

Cubs grow in dens and depend on rich milk for a long period. Social rank affects development and access to food.

Notes

Its status is listed as Least Concern. As a large carnivore it also scavenges, though conflict with people can occur locally.