THE HYENA

Hyenas or hyaenas are feliform carnivoran mammals of the family Hyaenidae. With only four extant species. {The four living species of hyena, clockwise from upper left: spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea), aardwolf (Proteles cristata) and striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) }

, it is the fifth-smallest biological family in the Carnivora, and one of the smallest in the class Mammalia. Despite their low diversity, hyenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems.

Family: Hyaenidae; Gray, 1821

Scientific name: Hyaenidae

Spotted hyena

The spotted hyena is the largest species, and it grows to 4 to 5.9 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) long and 2.5 to 2.6 feet (77 to 81 centimeters) tall from paw to shoulder. They weigh 88 to 190 lbs. (40 to 86 kg). Unlike other species, spotted females are 10 percent heavier than males, according to the San Diego Zoo.

The spotted hyena's coat is sandy, yellowish or gray, according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). It has dark brown or black spots over most of the body.

Brown hyena

Brown hyenas are the second largest, ranging from 51 to 63 inches (130 to 160 cm) long and weighing 75 to 160 lbs. (34 to 72.6 kg), according to ADW. Brown hyenas can be distinguished from other hyenas by the long, shaggy hair, which is dark brown or black on the body and tan on the shoulders and neck. Hair on the neck grows to about 12 inches (30.5 cm), in contrast to the short hair on the legs, face and ears. The tail is short and bushy. The forelegs, which are horizontally striped, are much longer and more massively built than the hind legs, giving the brown hyena the appearance of always climbing a hill.

Striped hyenaThe striped hyena is 39 to 45 inches (100 to 115 cm) long and 26 to 30 in (66 to 75 cm) tall from paw to shoulder, according to the San Diego Zoo. Their tails add another 12 to 16 in (30 to 40 cm) and they weigh from 57 to 90 lbs. (26 to 41 kg). Striped hyenas have long hair that is gray to straw-colored. Their muzzle is black, and there are black stripes on the head, torso and legs. 

An aardwolf comes out at sunset to forage. (Image credit: Cathy Withers-Clarke Shutterstock)

Aardwolf

Aardwolves are the smallest species of hyena. They weigh from 17.6 to 30.8 lbs. (8 to 14 kg), and their length ranges from 33 to 41 inches (85 to 105 cm) — and about one-fourth of that is the tail, according to ADW. Aardwolves resemble striped hyenas, with similar fur texture and color.

Habitat

Where hyenas live depends on their type. Brown hyenas have a very limited range and live only in Southern Africa, including the Kalahari and Namib deserts. They are usually found between the Angola-Namibia border and the Orange River in South Africa. 

There are two distinct populations of aardwolves. One subspecies lives in southern Zambia, Angola and Mozambique, as well as northeastern Uganda and Somalia. The other subspecies extends into central Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

SPEED

Spotted hyena :60Km/h

HEIGHT

Spotted hyena: 70 – 92 cm, 

Striped hyena: 60 – 80 cm, Brown hyena: 70 – 80 cm

MASS

Spotted hyena: 44 – 64 kg, 

 Striped hyena: 22 – 55 kg

Brown hyena: 40 – 44 kg

LIFESPAN

 Spotted hyena: 12 years, 

 Striped hyena: 12 years

BITING FORCE OF A SPOTTED HYENA

Spotted Hyena (1'100 PSI)

As befitting mammals that can eat, chew and digest solid bone, spotted hyenas are equipped with massive skulls, disproportionately large trunks and forelimbs, and powerful bites that can rip through carcasses with up to 1,100 pounds of force per square inch.