SPOTTED HYAENA
(Crocuta crocuta)
Shoulder Height
Mass
Gestation
Life span
Mating season
Mass
Gestation
Life span
Mating season
: Gevlekte hiëna
: Mpisi
: Mpisi
After about 6 months, young hyaena develops spots and is fully grown after 1 year.
After birth, it is not uncommon for the bigger or more dominant cub to kill the smaller brother or sister.
After birth, it is not uncommon for the bigger or more dominant cub to kill the smaller brother or sister.
Hyaena's can eat almost any flesh, including bone and skin, fish, tortoises, carrion.
They hunt in groups or alone. Giving the choice, they can eat 3 kg of meat a day.
They will follow predators, and looks for vultures descending on a kill.
They hunt in groups or alone. Giving the choice, they can eat 3 kg of meat a day.
They will follow predators, and looks for vultures descending on a kill.
Their jaw pressure is about 1 ton per sq cm. Both male and female, develop what looks like a penis , and when family members meet they lick and sniff the genitals, as a greeting ceremony. The female is the matriarch, and she decides which male can mate with her.
During the day they like to rest in burrows, but can be seen during the day were they are not hunted by man. They live in family groups referred to as a "clan", and hunt in packs
During the day they like to rest in burrows, but can be seen during the day were they are not hunted by man. They live in family groups referred to as a "clan", and hunt in packs
They do have a natural fear of Lions and Wild Dogs.
Afrikaans
Zulu
Zulu
: 70 - 90 cm
: 50 - 80 kg (Females heavier than Male)
: about 4 months; 2 to 3 young. suckles for 12 months or more
: 25 years
: Southern Africa ---- September, October, November
Northern Africa ---- December, January, February
: 50 - 80 kg (Females heavier than Male)
: about 4 months; 2 to 3 young. suckles for 12 months or more
: 25 years
: Southern Africa ---- September, October, November
Northern Africa ---- December, January, February
Contrary to popular believe that the Hyaena is a scavenger, the Hyaena is an hunter as well, and often kills animals, when on hunt for food. It will not shy away from a change to take away the kill from Lions if the pack is big enough to challenge the Lion pride.
Personally I have witnessed a Hyaena taking the kill away from a Leopard that had killed an Impala by chasing the Leopard in the tree and ripped the prey out of the Leopard's mouth.
For a human, a Hyaena is not a too big a threat, but at night, and when the Hyaena is hungry, they can become quite bold, and it is advisable to have a fire going while sleeping out-doors.
