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Spotted Hyena — printable fact sheet
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Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), often recognized by its distinctive 'laughing' vocalizations, is the most populous and widespread member of the Hyaenidae family, inhabiting a vast range across sub-Saharan Africa. With a robust population estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 …
Did you know?
- Unlike most mammals, female Spotted Hyenas have external genitalia that closely resemble those of males, making the sexes difficult to distinguish.
- Despite their reputation as scavengers, spotted hyenas are proficient hunters, with up to 70% of their diet consisting of their own kills. Their laughter-like calls are not expressions of amusement but rather serve as social signals to communicate excitement or frustration among clan members. Spotted hyenas have one of the most powerful bites relative to body size among mammals, capable of exerting pressures over 1,100 psi, allowing them to crush bones with ease. Interestingly, the cave hyenas, a now-extinct relative, once roamed as far as western Europe and were adapted to colder climates, showcasing the genus's historical adaptability.
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