# Spotted Hyena (*Crocuta crocuta*) Spotted hyenas are strong hunters with powerful jaws and unique calls. They live in groups called clans and are excellent scavengers, often seen in African savannas. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Savannas - **Also known as:** Hyena, Laughing Hyena ![Spotted Hyena](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424531/objects/6430.jpg) ## Appearance The Spotted Hyena has a shaggy coat of sandy yellow to reddish-brown, covered in irregular dark spots. Its distinctive build includes a sloped back, powerful neck, and large, rounded ears, making it visually unique from other savanna predators. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Hyaenidae - **Genus:** Crocuta ## Interesting facts - Cubs are born with open eyes and tiny teeth, ready to play! - Every hyena's spot pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint! - Their powerful stomach acid can digest entire bones, fur, and even hooves! - They are more closely related to cats than to dogs, despite their appearance! ## Special abilities - **Clan Communicator:** Spotted Hyena can make over a dozen different sounds that helps them communicate with their large clan. - **Endurance Hunter:** Spotted Hyena can run long distances at speed that helps them chase down fast-moving prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 95-165 cm - **Weight:** 40-86 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-25 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-4 - **Gestation:** 90-110 days ## Diet & Feeding These powerful hunters and scavengers eat almost anything, including bones! - **Primary Foods:** Wildebeest, Zebra, Gazelle, Carrion, Bones, Small mammals - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Blue Wildebeest (*Connochaetes taurinus*) — A primary large prey species. - **Hunts:** [Plains Zebra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plains-zebra) (*Equus quagga*) — Often targets sick or young individuals. - **Eats:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Often scavenge from their kills. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Keep a safe distance from wild hyenas and always observe them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spotted Hyena? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Spotted Hyena? 95-165 cm ### How much does Spotted Hyena weigh? 40-86 kg ### How long does Spotted Hyena live? 12-25 years ### How fast can Spotted Hyena move? 60 km/h ### What does Spotted Hyena eat? These powerful hunters and scavengers eat almost anything, including bones! ### Where is Spotted Hyena usually found? Savannas ### How does Spotted Hyena hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [Denver Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/denver-zoo) — Colorado, US · Zoo - [Sunset Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunset-zoo) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Zoo de Castellar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-castellar) — Andalusia, ES · Zoo - [Tierpark Chemnitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-chemnitz) — Sachsen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spotted-hyena) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Spotted Hyena: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena)