Spotted hyena

Spotted hyenas are keystone predators whose role extends far beyond scavenging; as skilled hunters, they play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. There are four species of hyena: brown (Parahyaena brunnea), striped (Hyaena hyaena), spotted (Crocuta crocuta), and aardwolf (Proteles cristata). The spotted hyena—also known as the laughing hyena—is the second largest carnivore, just after lions. Despite their dog-like faces, hyenas are actually closer relatives of cats, mongooses, and civets. As adults, spotted hyenas have coarse, sandy-brown fur covered in dark spots. Though as cubs, they are solid dark brown or black; young pups have the darkest spots, which fade as they age.

Hyenas are highly social and can be found in groups known as “clans,” which have a unique and complex social structure. In fact, hyena clans are more like those of primates such as baboons or macaques than those of other social carnivores like lions: they live in well-defined dominance hierarchies determined by female lineages, giving higher-ranking females priority access to resources.

Spotted hyena clans are matriarchal. Females are larger than males and display dominance through higher aggression. Female hyenas also have genitalia that are almost indistinguishable from male genitalia, appearing highly “masculinized.” Clans can include up to 90 individuals, and females remain in the clan they are born into for their entire lives, while males often disperse once they mature.

Hyenas are also highly territorial, particularly around their den, where cubs are raised. To defend their territories, hyenas use a variety of tactics, such as vocal displays and scent marking—they even mark territorial boundaries by urinating and defecating in communal areas known as latrines. While territories vary in size, hyenas will venture beyond their protected zone to forage. In fact, the famous hyena “laughter” is a signal to other clan members indicating a food source. Interestingly, while hyenas live in clans, they often forate alone and are typically only seen together in specific instances: at kills, when defending their territory, and at the communal den.

While many assume that hyenas are scavengers, they are formidable predators, equipped with excellent night vision and some of the most powerful jaws in the animal kingdom that can even crush bone. Hyenas kill about 70% of their own prey, hunting both day and night and eating whatever is convenient—from termites to ungulates, and even larger animals like giraffes or Cape buffalo. Endurance athletes, they pursue prey over long distances until it tires, at which point they move in for the kill.