Spotted Hyaena
Height: 70 - 81cm
Mass: 65 - 70 kg
Gestation: 105 days (2 to 3 young)
Life span: Up to 20 years
These animals possess tremendous power in their jaw muscles. When really very hungry the hyaena could consume meat up to a third of its own body mass.
They are not very fast runners. They sometimes submerge meat in shallow water for temporary concealment.
The sounds they make are an eerie howl, and is one of the most typical night sounds you will hear in the African bush. They can also wail, howl and make chuckling and laughing sounds. If one is lucky enough to hear them around a fresh kill, one is not likely to forget the hysterical cacophony sounds. The howls serve as a communication medium.
Both sexes are territorial as well as in their defences and when hunting, but the females do tend to take the lead. Dominance seems to be the order in which the hyena's social hierarchy is run. Usually it is the size and strength of the hyaena which again tends to be the female.
Interesting to know that there used to be a belief that the hyaena can change from one sex to the other. This is not so. It probably arose from the fact that the external labial swellings of the female are so large that they resemble the scrotum of the male.
Don't underestimate this animal. They may seem like cowards, but this stems from their usual behaviour. Fact is, when cornered, they can put up a terrific fight and cases are known where they've killed a fully grown lioness.
They are actually the most cunning and could well be more intelligent than the domestic dog. Why? Just watch them follow the vultures and their movements to a carcass.
Hyaena are apparently related to civets and mongooses. Hyaenas are mainly nocturnal, but they can be seen on cool overcast days or early morning and late afternoon.
Sounds of the Hyaena
Hyaena 1 Hyaena 2
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