Hyena
Name: Spotted HyenaScientific Name: Crocuta crocuta
Basic Information:
We have a small clan of eight spotted hyenas here at Windaroo Zoo. This species is the classic laughing hyenas from the savannas of Africa. They are mammals from the order Carnivora (meat-eaters). Although they might look like relatives of dogs, they are classified in the family Viverridae.
You will probably hear the hyenas long before you see them. They are constantly yipping and barking throughout the day. Even though we only have a few individuals, a clan can be as large as 90 individuals. The clan lives around a den where the young hyenas are born and raised.
Even though the clan might be large, most hyenas hunt alone. When they do hunt as a group, they can take down very large animals as they approach from downwind. One hyena can eat up to 15 kilos (30 lbs) of meat in a feeding.
Habitat Information:
Savanna - Characterized by sparse tree cover, savanna environments are most commonly found in Africa. In our savanna habitat, visitors can see the animals one would normally expect, such as lions, hippopotami, and elephants, as well as less well-known but no less important animals, such as insects and arachnids.
Spotted Hyenas at Windaroo:
Our hyenas are found in an enclosure near the other savanna species. They need to be kept separate from the other species because they are carnivores like the lions.
Related Animals:
Cheetah
Hippopotamus
Lion
Zebra
A-Z Animal List