Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 5218781

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

Also known as Laughing Hyena

Spotted hyenas live in highly structured, female-dominated clans of up to 80 individuals, maintaining complex social bonds through elaborate greeting ceremonies. Equipped with bone-crushing jaws and exceptional physical endurance, these adaptable carnivores hunt live prey just as frequently as they scavenge. Their distinctive vocal repertoire ranges from high-pitched giggles uttered under stress to loud whoop calls that echo across nocturnal savannas.

SocialPredatorSub-Saharan
Spotted Hyena reference1 / 7
Licensed referenceCharles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Wildebeest
  • Zebra
  • Gazelles
Predators
  • Lions
ThreatsHabitat loss, retaliatory poisoning, snaring, and direct persecution
HabitatsSavannas, open grasslands, woodlands, semi-deserts, and mountain forests
Life span12–20 years in the wild
Classification
  1. OrderCarnivora
  2. FamilyHyaenidae
  3. GenusCrocuta
  4. SpeciesCrocuta crocuta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Large carnivore with immense jaw strength; keep a safe distance and remain inside vehicles.
Why it is dangerous
Massive jaw muscles generate enough force to crush heavy bones, making bites extremely dangerous.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by a sloping back, rounded ears, dark spots, and powerful neck profile.
What to do
Stay inside vehicles, refrain from walking on foot at night, and never approach feeding packs.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from vehicles: Remain safely inside protected safari vehicles when viewing hyenas in the wild.
  • Keep clear of dens: Give active denning sites wide berth to avoid disturbing mothers and pups.
  • Secure food in camps: Store all food and rubbish in wildlife-proof containers when camping in savanna regions.
Related species
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