Species Name Crocuta crocuta

Family Hyaenadiae

Order Carnivora

Distribution

The spotted hyena is widespread south of the Sahara Desert.

Habitat

The hyena can be found on the African savanna plains and in open forest. They like well-watered plains with a large game population.

Numbers

The hyena is common in restricted areas, though their range used to be much larger.

Related Species

The brown (Hyaena brunnea) and striped (Hyaena hyena) hyenas are also found in South Africa. A much more distantly related animal is the aardwolf, which has a characteristic scent gland. It is rarer than the hyena. Despite the dog-like appearance, it is thought that the hyena is more closely related to cats and mongooses than dogs.

Interesting Facts

The word crocuta refers to the sandy colouration of the hyena¿s coat. The laughing call, which the hyena makes in moments of excitement, has given rise to the other common name of the ¿laughing hyena¿. Because male and female hyenas look similar, it is said they can act as a male or female at will and that is why they laugh.