| |
|
| |
| Spotted
Hyena |
| |
| Common
Name: |
spotted
hyena, laughing hyena |
| |
|
| Class:
|
Mammalia |
| |
|
| Order: |
Carnivora |
| |
|
| Family:
|
Hyaenidae |
| |
|
| Genus
species: |
Crocuta
crocuta (from crocus - the color of saffron, and utus which means
provided with) |
|
|
 |
| |
| Fast
Facts |
| Description:
|
coat
is rough and short, color is reddish brown to tan, becoming lighter
and less spotted with age, tail pompom and nose are black |
| |
|
| Size:
|
males
79 to 86 cm (32-34 in.), females 84 to 89 cm (34-35 in.) |
| |
|
| Weight:
|
males
56 to 63 kg (123-138 lb.), females 67 to 75 kg (147-165 lb.) |
| |
|
| Diet:
|
wildebeest,
zebra, Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, topi, buffalo |
| |
|
| Gestation: |
110
days or 4 months, average 2 young per litter but anywhere from 1 to
4, non-seasonal mating |
| |
|
| Sexual
maturity: |
approximately
3 years, females mature later than males |
| |
|
| Life
span: |
average
12 years; maximum 20 to 25 years |
| |
|
| Range:
|
south
of Sahara, except through areas with extreme desert conditions |
| |
|
| Habitat:
|
|
| |
|
| Population: |
|
| |
|
| Status:
|
not
listed by USFWS or CITES most abundant of hyenas |
| |
|
| RETURN
TO TOP |
|
| |
| Fun
Facts |
| 1. |
Hyenas
live in territorial social groups called clans. Clans are dominated
by females and can reach up to 70 members.
|
| |
|
| 2. |
The
spotted hyena is the largest species of hyena. The other species are
the brown hyena and the striped hyena. |
| |
|
| 3. |
Female
hyenas possess similar looking reproductive organs to males therefore
accurate sexing can be difficult. |
| |
|
| 4. |
The
hyena is more closely related to the mongoose and cat than the dog. |
| |
|
| 5. |
The
hyena is primarily a hunter, not a scavenger. They usually hunt alone
however clans will hunt together in order to catch larger prey. They
are also good opportunistic hunters. |
| |
|
| RETURN
TO TOP |
|
| |
| Ecology
and Conservation |
| |
Hyenas,
like several other African carnivores, are important for the health
of hoofed animal populations by weeding out the weak and sick as
prey items. Their predation helps to keep the balance between these
herds and their food resources. Hyenas are particularly efficient
predators since they are capable of digesting bones, horns and even
the teeth of their prey. Hyenas are also important to the study
of the evolution of carnivores.
|
| |
|
| RETURN
TO TOP |
|
| |
| Bibliography |
| |
Berger,
Diana M.P., D.V.M., M.S., Frank, Lawrence G., Ph.D., Glickman, Stephan
E., Ph.D.. Unraveling Ancient Mysteries: Biology and Captive
Management of the Spotted Hyena, Crocuta crocuta.
|
| |
|
| |
Frank,
L.G., Glickman, S.E., Powch, Irene. Sexual Dimorphism In the Spotted
Hyena (Crocuta crocuta). |
| |
|
| |
Estes,
Richard D. The Safari Companion. Post Mills: Chelsea Green
Publishing Co., 1993. |
| |
|
| |
Kruuk,
Hans. The Spotted Hyena, A Study of Predation and Social Behavior.
Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1972. |
| |
|
| |
Parker,
Sybil P. Grzimek's Encyclopedia Mammals.Vol.III. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1990. |
| |
|
| |
Stevens,
Jan E., Secrets of the Spotted Hyena. San Francisco Examiner
Image. Aug. 8, 1993. |
| |
|
| RETURN
TO TOP |
|
| |
|
Additional
Information - Large
Carnivore Field Project - Dr. Laurence Frank
|
| |
| Return
to Animal Bytes |
| |
| |