Food: They are carnivorous animals that hunt herbivores such as gazelles, zebras, wildebeests, baby giraffes, hippos, etc. and are also scavengers, feeding on animal remains. They can consume 3 to 6 kg of meat per day.
Reproduction: Males can mate with multiple females all year round. Females have a pseudo penis that attaches to the male’s penis during mating. The gestation period for females is 4 months and they can give birth to up to 3 cubs. Mothers have their young in burrows underground and they begin to eat regurgitated meat at 5 months but continue to suckle until 1 year and 3 months.
Distribution and Habitat: Sub-Saharan Africa. Savannah.
Behavior: The spotted hyena is a highly social and intelligent species that lives in matriarchal groups, meaning the females are in charge. They form family groups of 3 to 90 individuals. Hyenas’ “laughter” only happens when they are stressed (example: when they have to escape from other hyenas or other animals such as lions). Females remain in their original groups while juvenile males disperse to other groups when they reach 2 years of age. They have a very developed jaw, allowing them to easily break and ingest the bones of their prey.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
