The black spots and the light brown colour of the hyena tend to become less pronounced with age. Its colouration is an effective camouflage in the dry grassland and dappled shade under trees and bushes. The hair of the hyena¿s coat is long enough to give the animal a shaggy appearance, and there is a mane of hair on the hyena¿s neck. The female is usually the larger animal.

Weight

The hyena weighs 27-45 kilograms.

Height

The male hyena can be up to 90 centimetres (3 foot) high while the female is slightly larger than the male.

Length

90-138 centimetres (3-4 feet).

Tail

The hyena¿s tail is less than 30 centimetres (1 foot) long.

Life Span

The life span of the hyena is up to 25 years of age, but many live to less than half this age.

Head

Hyenas have large heads with impressive bony crests on the top of the skull. The skull is heavily ridged so that the attachment of the massive jaw muscles is firm. The jaws and neck are strong, as might be expected in an animal which may have to throw down another animal, drag it, or pull it apart. The ears are held erect and the mane is pronounced. The striped hyena has a much longer mane, which can be raised in a spectacular fashion. Although their eyesight is poor, the hyena¿s sense of hearing and smell is keen.

Teeth

Hyenas have bone-crushing teeth and one of the strongest bites of any carnivore. The incisors form an effective cutting row. The canines are long and dagger-like for piercing. The larger rear teeth work together to provide a scissor-like shearing action which is effective for shredding flesh.

Body

The front part of the body is higher than the rear half. While the rear legs must be strong to provide propulsion for running, the front legs and shoulders must be able to withstand the strain of pulling and heaving dead weights.

Front Limb

Hyenas walk on the tips of their four ¿fingers¿, each of which has a claw. The fifth digit is missing. The ¿elbow¿ is near the body, and the ¿wrist¿ is in the middle of the limb. The tracks made by the front limbs are larger than those made by the rear - thus the tracks can be distinguished from those of a dog, in which the reverse applies. The front limbs are strong, enabling hyenas to dig up buried animals. Hyenas also carry bodies or parts of animals for long distances and for this reason they need stout front limbs.

Hind Limb

The hind limb has four digits like the front limb. Near and below the tail is a scent gland which releases a strong characteristic hyena odour. This distinctive smell probably helps keep family groups together.