Africam

Crocuta crocuta

• although they look like dogs, are more closely related to cats than to dogs.

• can recognise individual calls of clan members over many kilometres. click here to listen to a spotted hyaena calling

• clans are territorial.

• females are larger than males and dominate them.

• females in general remain with their natal clan for life,males leave at about 2 years and become nomadic before settling in another clan

• will breed all year round and almost always give birth to twins. If both of the twins are female, one usually kills the other.

• cubs have a black/chocolate brown coat for about 3 months and live on milk alone from 6 to 9 months, then they will begin to take solid food and are weaned around 14-15 months.

• in contrast to e.g. lions, female spotted hyaena only suckle their own cubs.

• can sprint at 60 km/h and keep up a speed of 40 to 50 km/h over 4 or 5 km.

• may cover 40 km in a night.

• are skillfull hunters and will get more than 70% of their food from their own kills.

• can digest skin and bones, the only parts of prey not fully digested are hair, hooves and horns; these are regurgitated. (see picture)
  

• droppings are chalky white due to the high mineral content of the bones they consume.

• giggles are a sign of either excitement or fear. click here to listen to a hyaena giggling

• female have genitalia which look identical of that of the male.

• are considered the most sociable of the carnivores.

Watch a video of Spotted Hyaena at their den in Kruger National Park

References 

Wild Ways – Peter Apps 

Beat about the Bush – Trevor Carnaby

Safari Companion - Richard D. Estes

Behaviour guide to African mammals - Richard D. Estes

Kingdon Field Guide to African mammals - Jonathan Kingdon

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