Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

Order: Carnivora
Family: Hyaenidae

IUCN Red List: LC (Least Concern)

Habitat

 Savannas of Africa

Informations

Spotted hyenas were long misunderstood. Their characteristic “laughing” calls were once believed to be sinister laughter, and they were often thought of as mere scavengers. In reality, although they do feed on carrion, they are highly effective predators. They hunt cooperatively in groups and are often more successful than lions. Hyenas can run at speeds of up to 60 km/h and pursue their prey with remarkable endurance. One individual was observed following its target for as long as 24 kilometers. Their famous “laughter” is actually a vocal signal that can express excitement, tension, or other social emotions.

Their bite is among the strongest of all land mammals, allowing them to crush even the thickest bones. Their digestive system is capable of breaking down almost everything they consume. Their scent communication is also highly specialized: secretions from glands near the base of the tail are unique to each individual, allowing hyenas to recognize members of their own clan. They are intelligent animals with complex social behavior, and their problem-solving abilities are often compared to those of primates.

Hyena society is matriarchal. Females are larger, stronger, and more aggressive than males, partly because they have higher testosterone levels. Their external reproductive organs closely resemble those of males, which led people in ancient times to believe that hyenas were hermaphrodites.

Our animals

Harar, male, 2 years old