Spotted Hyena
Crocuta Crocuta
Persistent hunter
Spotted hyenas are stuck with the preconception that they are the “salvors” of the Savanna, but there is less carrion on their menu than we think. The skilled pack hunters capture around ¾ of their food themselves. With their very powerful bite, spotted hyenas can even bite through and eat bones.
Charakteristics
- Origin
Africa
- Habitat
South of the Sahara
- Diet
Zebras, gnus, gazelles, birds, small mammals, carrion
- Status
least concern
- Size
95 to 170 cm
- Weight
45 to 55 kg, partly up to 86 kg
- Gestation period
110 days
- Achievable age
approx. 25 years
Threat Categories of IUCN
Deceptive appearances
Although hyenas seem to resemble dogs, they are actually feliform (“cat-like”) carnivores like lions, leopards and tigers.
