The spotted hyena, also known as the laughing hyena (Crocuta crocuta), is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. They are generalist predators that can live in most environments – although they are not found in rainforests or deserts – and their strong forelimbs, well-muscled neck, and comparatively weaker hindlimbs give them a distinctive appearance. Their head is broad with a wide snout and they have sandy fur with black spots, as well as a mane down their neck to their mid back.
Latin Name
Crocuta crocuta
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spotted-hyena
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Animal Facts
The spotted hyena's 'laugh' is a distress call that a hyena gives when it is being chased or attacked. Despite popular perception, spotted hyenas are formidable predators, not scavengers.
Hyenas are the only members of the order 'Carnivora' that give birth to young with open eyes and fully developed teeth.
Females are larger than males and dominate in spotted hyena society, they are hyper-masculinised; their external reproductive parts look male.
Spotted hyenas are extremely intelligent; their group cooperation and skill learning abilities are on par with chimpanzees.
Spotted hyenas have an extremely strong bite that allows them to routinely crush bone; their bite is stronger than a lion's. They can be very dangerous, in Malawi, in 1962, a pair of spotted hyenas killed 27 people.