April 2004
Hyenas
Order
Family
Genus and Species
Carnivora
Hyaenidae
Crocuta crocuta
Although we will discuss several different members
of the Hyena species, the main focus
of this study will
be on the spotted hyena or, as it is more
commonly called, the "laughing
hyena." It's
nickname comes from the loud cackling sound, resembling laughter, that
the
hyena makes when it is under stress..(being attacked
or pursued).
Other members of the Hyaenidae family are
the brown hyena
( Hyaena brunnea ) and
the striped hyena
( Hyaena hyaena ). All three species are found
in southern Africa with
the striped hyena also appearing in Asia.
All hyenas are mainly
scavengers but, in cases of short food supply,
will actively hunt live
prey. Spotted hyenas will actually hunt
for prey more than the other two hyena species.
They have extremely
strong jaws ( perhaps exerting more pressure
p.s.i., than any other
comparably sized animal.) This helps in
crushing bones and getting the absolute maximum
nutritional value from other animals. After
an animal has been consumed; the hair, hooves,
pieces of horn and bone and other undigestible
parts are regurgitated, much as an owl
does.
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Hyenas weigh anywhere from 80
lbs to over 180 lbs. The
female is the more dominant
of the species and also larger
than the male. Spotted hyenas range
in length from 35 to
65 inches in length
and stand 25 to 35 inches tall
with the female outweighing the male by
an average of 15
lbs. and averaging
4 to 5 inches more in length. They are
a yellowish-
gray with black or dark brown circular marking
over it's body.....especially around the
tail area. The mating season is all
year long and the gestation period is 3.5
to 4 months
with the result being the live birth of from
two to five (usually 2) pups. These pups weigh
around 3 to 4 lbs.
at birth and are weaned from their mother's
milk at around 12 to 15
months. These pups
will reach sexual maturity in around 3 years.
The rear legs
of the spotted hyena, as with all hyenas,
are rather weak and shorter than
the more powerful forelimbs. They can attain
short bursts of speed, topping 35 m.p.h.
and can maintain a speed of 30
m.p.h. for several miles when they are either
pursuing
prey or are being pursued. The claws are
blunt and are incapable of being retracted.
Hyenas live in large
communities called "clans" which are dominated
by females. The
dominant male in the clan sires most of the offspring.
These dominant pups will, more
than likely, be the dominant members of the clan
until other stronger, younger, members
come along to assert their dominance.
This is the way most animal families construct
their social order.
The mostly desert habitat of the hyena is harsh
and demanding. The scalding hot days
are replaced by freezing nights, but
the hyena has somehow learned to adapt. Hyenas
sleep during the day in burrows abandoned by
Aardvarks and other digging animals,
and venture out after dark to hunt for food.
All hyenas are either nocturnal in nature
or
crepuscular (active during twilight).
The brown hyena
(shown
in the above graphic) and the striped hyena
are less plentiful
than the stronger and more resourceful spotted
hyena and are classified as vulnerable
to extinction by the IUCN, the World Conservation
Union.
Press play below, to hear Hyena sounds.