Spotted Hyena

Africa · super strong · unusual biology

Largest hyena alive. Spotted hyenas are bigger and more powerful than all other hyena species. They have a strong, bear-like build with rounded ears and spotted fur that helps them blend into their African habitat.

Famous laugh-like call. These hyenas earned the nickname 'laughing hyena' because their whooping calls sound like wild laughter. They use different sounds to talk to each other across the African grasslands and savannas.

Females look different. Spotted hyenas are super unusual because the females have a special body feature called a pseudo-penis. This makes them look similar to males, which is unique among all mammals on Earth.

Crushing bite force. Their teeth and jaws are specially built for both tearing meat and crushing thick bones. This gives them an advantage as hunters and scavengers in the African wilderness.

Thriving in Africa today. Between 27,000 and 47,000 spotted hyenas live in the wild across sub-Saharan Africa. However, they are disappearing outside protected areas because of habitat loss and poaching.