Mammals · Carnivora · Hyaenidae

Spotted Hyaena

Crocuta crocuta

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It lives in matriarchal clans of up to 130 animals in which every female outranks every male. It is an active hunter: 95% of what it eats it catches itself, rather than scavenging.

Weight

45 kg – 86 kg

Size

95 cm – 1.7 m

Lifespan

22 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Hierarchical pack

Lives in an organised hierarchical group, typical of cooperative hunters.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

SavannaCarnivore Nocturnal In packs Savanna Mammal

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Fun facts

Females outrank males socially in its matriarchal clans.
It gives birth through a pseudopenis, an anatomical feature unique among mammals.
Its milk has the highest protein content of any land carnivore.
comportamientoIt lives in matriarchal societies in which the females are larger and dominant over the males, a pattern that is uncommon among social mammals.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Savanna, open woodland and forest edge across much of sub-Saharan Africa
Birth weight: 1-1.6 kg at birth, eyes open and already jet black
Size at birth: 1-1.6 kg at birth
Sexual maturity: ~3 years
Gestation / incubation: ~4 months
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 4 cubs per litter (most commonly 2 twins)
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 41 years and 1 month

Sources consulted: Dimensions.com; Animal Diversity Web; National Geographic Kids; JungleDragon; Animalia.bio; AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Oxford Academic (age estimation dispersal study); UCSD Perinatal Discovery