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Hyenas or hyaenas are feliform ("cat-like") carnivorous mammals. There is four recognised spe-
cies of Hyenas, each in its own Genus* and all members of the family Hyaenidae**. Hyenas are native
to Africa and are one of Africa’s most common large carnivores. The size of the hyena, even within the
same species, can vary according to the location of the animal. However, in general, the largest of the
species is the female spotted hyena around 95 to 165.8 cm in length, and about 70 to 91.5 cm tall at the
shoulders and weighs 67 to 75 kg. The male is slightly smaller. The smallest of the species is the Aard-
wolves at around 50.8 cm tall and about
76.2cm in length and weighs around 7 to 13kg.

*Genus Crocuta
spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
Genus Hyæna
striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena)
Genus Parahyaena
brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea)
Genus Proteles
Aardwolf (Proteles cristata).

Hyenas are very distinctive animals; they
have long powerful forelegs with short hindlegs,
giving their back a sharp downward slope. Their
**Hyaenidae dog-like paws have four toes with blunt non-
retractable claws. They have a thick powerful
neck with a long to short hair mane running from the head to the shoulders.
Their head is round with a short pointed snout, with small round eyes and large
prominent ears. They also have a very distinctive way of communicating, like their
frightening, ‘wailing calls’, their ‘howling screams’, and above all, their loud
mocking type “laughter”. Sadly, it’s their looks and sounds that have spawned
decades of contempt and dislike for them. In many cultures, people believe they
influence spirits, steal livestock, eat children and raid graves to eat the dead. Even
in the supposed, ‘enlightened societies’ of today, they are still associated with
witchcraft and killed for their body parts to use in rituals.

Hyenas are found in most habitats across Africa; savannas, grasslands,
woodlands, forest edges, sub-deserts, even living high up in mountains. They are
sociable animals and usually live and bring up their young in communal caves or
empty underground tunnels, or burrows. They live and hunt in packs or clans of
various sizes. For instance, the spotted hyenas may form packs of 80 or more ani-
mals; though, the general size is around 5 to 10 animals, especially when hunting.
The centre of all hyenas’ activities is the communal den where they nurture their
young. Their territory can range from 15 to over 100 square miles, and although
they do not enforce it, they do mark it out with their droppings and by depositing
a pungent liquid-like substance they secrete from the anal glands on the grass
along the boundaries.

Hyenas are Africa’s top carnivorous predators. Like most wild animals, they
will scavenge dead animals or left over kills by others, even kills they have made
earlier. When a lion or other large animal makes a kill, hyenas are often unfairly
portrayed as skulking in the background, as though they alone are waiting to steal
or scavenge any leftovers. This behaviour is not unusual among wild animals, any
animal knowing of a kill will come and try to get in on the kill; lions are known to
attack and steal kills from hyenas. However, the truth is that the bulk of the hye-
na’s food comes from direct kills; they will attack and kill any animal they can
overcome. They are very intelligent, and when hunting in packs, they will often
lure or chase an animal into a prearranged trap. After a kill, hyenas announce it
to other members of the pack by communicating in loud screams or chattering
“laughter”. Packs share the bounty, even with those not directly involved in the
kill.