#Crocuta Crocuta

[tsalala]

Hyenas are not fond of sharing meals. Photographed by Bobby-Jo Photography.

[snototter]

A spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) relaxes in Madiwke Game Reserve, South Africa

by flowcomm

[inbarfink]

[i-love-hyenas]

Dick Smit, 2012

[critter-captures]

Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), family Hyaenidae (hyenas)

The largest extant species of hyena, and the most social carnivoran.

Young hyenas are born with a black coat, but begin to develop a lighter spotted coat around 2-3 months old. Their spots are better defined than adults, and fade with age.

Safaripark Beekse Bergen, taken July 2024

[abysma1]

Yeens for the soul (+3434 hp)

[blogforfauna]

Crocuta crocuta

Although they have some dog-like traits, hyenas are only very distantly related to canines. They’re more closely related to cats. Their closest relatives, though, are actually mongooses (mongeese?) and civets.

Also known as laughing hyenas, spotted hyenas are the largest of four hyena species, weighing up to 140 pounds (63.5 kg)

Hyenas have a bad reputation. Although hyenas in some areas do kill livestock, this infamy is mostly due to myths and legends about them. They are believed to be “grave robbers,” or prone to digging bodies out of graves, as well as being stupid and cowardly. Spotted hyenas are even seen as demonic do to their wild laughing vocalization. The Lion King definitely didn’t help their case either, with spotted hyenas playing the role of dumb antagonists.

Another myth about hyenas is that they are hermaphrodites, meaning the species does not have distinct males and females. They do, but it’s almost impossible to tell them apart since both sexes have male genitalia. The females, which are more dominant than males, likely have male genitals due to high levels of testosterone.

Hyenas are extremely social animals, forming close bonds and living in clans that can reach huge sizes, some with over 100 individuals. They are considered to be some of the most socially complex animals in the world and are highly cooperative with other hyenas, scoring higher than primates on tests that involve working with others.

This cooperative behavior is how they hunt (or steal). Large animals like wildebeest, zebra, antelope, and impala are targeted by groups of hyenas. Hyenas also get food by using large groups to steal prey from other predatory animals like lions, leopards, and African wild dogs. Every part of these stolen carcasses can be eaten, including the bones. This is thanks to extremely powerful jaws that give the hyena a bite force of 1100 PSI (almost as much as a grizzly bear).

Hyenas also make some of the best parents in the animal kingdom. They have up to four cubs per litter, all of which are all born jet black, and they care for them for over a year. The mother also plays with them for hours at a time. They sometimes have to leave their cubs for long periods of time in order to hunt, but their extremely rich milk sustains the cubs through this time. Hyena milk is higher in protein and fat content than any other terrestrial carnivore.

I rate the spotted hyena 26/10 I love them so much I don’t even know what to say

Photo credits:

(1) Will Burrard-Lucas (2) Unknown (3) Kristian Sekulic (4) Carole Deschuymere (5) Keith Connelly

[aticketplz]

飼育員さんによって隠されたお肉をブチハイエナたちが探すイベントやってました。ほぼ一瞬でしたが。

@日本平動物園

In this event they will look for meat hidden in their rooms. They showed a fearless sense of smell.

@Nihondaira Zoo

[wildcrocuta]

here r some vids i took of the two spotted hyenas (scruffy and nyota) at the milwaukee zoo. still one of my favorite memories, i had to cut out half the vid bc i was squealing x) seeing an animal of ur own species is so amazing

[tsalala]

I love that little face. Photographed by Marlo Hartman in Idube Game Reserve, South Africa, 2023.

[snototter]

A spotted hyena pup (Crocuta crocuta) emerges from its den at Rotterdam Zoo, The Netherlands

by safi kok

[haveyouseenthisanimal-irl]

[i-love-hyenas]

Zoofanatic, 2016

[akgulogulo]

Sabine doodle

[junryou]

crocuta crocuta bujo bujo

aka August's collection page

Uni Jetstream 0.38mm • Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Dot

[lazer-t]

Spotted Hyena, mixed media (markers + highlighters + watercolour)

Original piece for sale here