Spotted hyena staring: Costas Anton Dumitrescu, Shutterstock. Hyena distribution map: National Geographic Maps. What did you make of out spotted hyena facts? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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We hope this is okay but if not, you can opt-out using the button below. To find out more, read our Cookies Policy. Ask a parent or guardian to help you if you're stuck! Okay, accept cookies I don't want cookies Settings. Cubs are born with dark fur, their eyes open, and some teeth already present. They fight over who will be the dominant one and nurse first, sometimes killing their weaker sibling.
Mom keeps the cubs in a private den at first to ensure their survival. At two to six weeks of age, the mother moves the cubs to a den shared by other mothers in the same clan and their young.
Although there may be many cubs from different mothers, each mother nurses just her own. How they hunt, how they eat, and how they fight are all determined by rank within the clan.
At about two months of age, the cub starts to lose its brown coat and begins to look like the spotted adults. The young continue to nurse until about one to two years old.
Females stay with their birth clan, but the males leave upon maturity at around age three, if not sooner. Half of all spotted hyena young die before they reach maturity. Spotted hyenas have distinctive vocalizations. In fact, they are the most vocal mammals in Africa, with over 11 different sounds recorded.
The famous giggle they produce sounds like a human laughing. The "whoop" is a call heard for miles and is used to find cubs, advertise territory, or bring the clan together. Spotted hyenas can tell which individual makes the whoop. Groans and squeals are used to greet each other. Other sounds include grunting and growling. Hyenas also use their calls and scent marks to claim their territory. The way hyenas are depicted—and have been for centuries—is no laughing matter.
They are often vilified and misrepresented as foolish and treacherous, even downright vicious and evil. Hyenas do not hunt humans, although there are rare reports of killings. Yet some humans shoot hyenas on the spot just because of what they are. The spotted hyena is a clever creature that should bring a chuckle to your heart! While spotted hyenas are not threatened at the moment, things could change. Drought can have drastic effects on the food chain, from herbivores to carnivores. Conflict between humans and hyenas is also common whenever the two are competing for resources.
Deforestation brings people and hyenas into closer quarters, and hyenas that prey on livestock are not likely to be treated like good neighbors. Spotted hyenas are still shot, poisoned, and trapped, even in protected areas of their range. Some are even shot as target practice. Education is needed to dispel the poor public perceptions of this useful carnivore.
By supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, you are our ally in saving and protecting wildlife worldwide. Diet: Omnivore. Group Name: Clan.
Size: Head and body: 34 to 59 inches; tail: 10 to 14 inches. Weight: to pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man:. Least concern. Least Concern Extinct.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Share Tweet Email. Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London.
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