These cunning opportunistic carnivores are part of the dog family, the largest known member of the Hyaenidae, native to Africa and have the reputation of being scavengers which is not true for the spotted hyena as it hunts 50% of it prey. There are four species in the hyena family, and they vary in size. The adult spotted hyena can weigh up to 80kg and is about 80cm tall. They can charge for short distances at a speed of up to 50km/h for a few kilometres.
The spotted hyena's coat is sandy, yellowish and has dark brown or black spots over most of the body. Unlike other species, spotted females are 10 percent heavier than males. The females are not only larger but they are also more aggressive and are dominate in their clans. All females rank higher than males in the clan. Their gestation period is 110 days, only two pups per litter, weighing 1.5kg at birth.
Hyenas can adapt to almost any habitat and are found in grasslands, woodlands, savannas, forest edges, sub-deserts and mountains. They are social animals and live in a communal den (tunnels of 1 metre or caves) with clans of 10-40 which is led by one dominant female. Each hyena uses sounds, smells and visual cues to recognize others in their clan.
They have a very distinctive sloping back and are territorial hunters which mostly hunt big game (buffalo, kudu, wildebeest and zebra) in packs and smaller animals (guinea fowls, monkeys, snakes) when they are alone. Hyenas have very strong jaws and can crush the bones of any big antelope in one movement. They can eat a third of their body weight at a single meal.
The mocking laugh of the hyena sounds like a giggling human which escaped from a mental asylum.
These animals usually make the noise during social conflicts, so it is no laughing matter to them.