Overview
The spotted hyena (or Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are generalist predators that can live in most environments – although they are not found in rainforests or deserts – and their strong forelimbs, well-muscled neck, and comparatively weaker hind limbs give them a distinctive appearance. Their head is broad with a wide snout and they have sandy fur with black spots, as well as a mane down their neck to their mid back. Adult spotted hyenas stand 70cm to 92cm tall at the shoulder, with females being larger and also heavier than males. On average, males weigh 40kg to 55kg, while females weigh 44kg to 64kg.
Appearance
Male
Female
Juvenile
Size & weight
Size
Shoulder height: 81 to 86 cm
Juvenile
Juvenile weight
9.4 kg
Measured as Shoulder height. The person stands 1.75 m tall for scale.
Habitat requirements
Barrier grade
Grade 3 of 5
Minimum height
3 m minimum
Climbing & water
Climb proof
Not needed
Water barrier
Not allowed
Habitat needs
Minimum area
Land
940 m² + 180 m² per extra animal
Shelter
10 m² per animal
Environment
Temperature
14 to 41°C
Plant coverage
10-40%
Enclosure
Habitat
Dislikes
Rain and snow
Terrain
- Sand 0-50%
- Grass 20-80%
- Rock 0-50%
- Soil 10-50%
Diet and enrichment
Diet
- Nutritionally Complete Meat
- Small Carcasses
Water sources
Conservation
IUCN Red List
Least concern
Least concern
Critically endangered
Wild population
27,000
27,000 - 47,000 in the wild. Rank 31 of 58 species with a known count, smallest first.
Spotted hyenas are of Least Concern, but are affected by human-wildlife conflict as populations expand. Their reputation as scavengers has long subjected them to cultural stigma, with many communities viewing them as pests or symbols of witchcraft. As human settlements expand and fragment natural hyena habitats, hyenas often turn to preying on domestic animals and, in turn, are killed through poisoning, trapping or shooting by farmers attempting to protect their livestock. In some regions, parts of hyenas are also trafficked for traditional medicine and rituals. Community outreach programs aim to dispel myths and emphasise the ecological importance of hyenas as scavengers and disease controllers that help maintain healthy ecosystems. Non-lethal conflict mitigation techniques such as improved livestock enclosures, compensation schemes, and predator-proof fencing, have proven effective in parts of Kenya and Tanzania. Additionally, monitoring programmes improve understanding of hyena social structures, movements, and tolerance of human-altered landscapes, informing more targeted management.
Zoopedia sketchbook
Social & reproduction
Keeper notes
Hyenas are social animals that live in 'clans' of related females, immigrant males and their cubs. They have a communal den which as many as 90 spotted hyenas share for sleeping, mating and giving birth. When individuals leave the den to hunt and roam, they spend this time alone or in small groups of 2 to 4. In captivity, adults should be kept in compatible pairs and trios. Although hyenas live in large groups in the wild, they live in a fission-fusion society where they do not spend all their time together and often roam alone or in small groups. They are an aggressive species, so large groups in an enclosed space could result in violent interactions. Spotted hyenas breed year-round. Males gain favour with females by being submissive and friendly, and once trust has been established, females may allow males to mate with them. Following a pregnancy of 3 or 4 months, a female gives birth to 1 or 2, occasionally 3, cubs over which she is very protective. Higher ranking females produce more aggressive cubs, and cubs may kill each other after birth. The infants nurse from their mothers for 1 to 1.5 years, but begin eating solid food from 3 months old. Male cubs remain with their mother's clan until they are around 2.5 years old, at which point they will leave and attempt to join an unrelated clan. Females remain with their mother's group for their entire lives.
Group and breeding
Colourmorphs
- Leucistic
Dominance
Matriarchal, nepotistic
Research
Research levels
| Level | Unlocks | Research gate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: Light Soil terrain | |
| Level 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: Piñata Zebra, at least 3; Spotted Hyena Fact Sheet | |
| Level 3 | Release groups and release to the wild | |
| Level 4 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Fertility Level 1 (+15% fertility) | Before this level: an Observation Network (Observation Platform) in Great Rift Valley Reserve and this species released in Great Rift Valley Reserve |
| Level 5 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | |
| Level 6 | Thriving Requirement 5: Water Surface Area; Fertility Level 2 (+30% fertility) |
Researched by
Vets
Researched at
Habitat or exhibit and Research Centre
Wildlife Reserve
Great Rift Valley Reserve
Every level of this species' research, with its unlock conditions.
Release groups
Valid release groups
| Group | Type | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Group | Mixed group | 1 to 4 males, 2 to 8 females |
| Male Bachelor Herd | Male group | 3 to 5 males |
| Breeding Partners | Breeding partners | 1 to 2 males, 1 to 2 females |
Release groups, reserve requirements and the roles this species fills.
Animal facts
- The spotted hyena's 'laugh' is a distress call that a hyena gives when it is being chased or attacked. Despite popular perception, spotted hyenas are formidable predators, not scavengers.
- Hyenas are the only members of the order 'Carnivora' that give birth to young with open eyes and fully developed teeth.
- Females are larger than males and dominate in spotted hyena society. They are hyper-masculinised; their external reproductive parts look male.
- Spotted hyenas are extremely intelligent; their group cooperation and skill learning abilities are on par with chimpanzees.
- Spotted hyenas have an extremely strong bite that allows them to routinely crush bone; their bite is stronger than a lion's. They can be very dangerous, in Malawi, in 1962, a pair of spotted hyenas killed 27 people.
Taxonomy
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
