Untitled Document
 Spotted
hyenas are well-known for eating the
leftovers of other predators. So they are called
“scavengers.” But they are
also great hunters. They can take down big animals such as antelopes. They also hunt small animals including birds, lizards, snakes, and even insects.
Spotted hyenas are found in grasslands, woodlands, savannas, and mountains throughout Africa, Arabia
and India. They live together in large groups that may include up to 80 hyenas.
Their groups are led by females.
There are three kinds of hyenas in the world: the spotted hyena, brown
hyena and striped hyena. Spotted hyenas
are the largest of the three hyena species. Hyenas look similar to dogs. But they
are actually more closely related to cats.
 Spotted
hyenas are 86 to 150 centimeters long and have long tails that range between 25 to 36 centimeters
long. They weigh between 50 to 86 kilograms.
Females weigh slightly more than males.
Spotted hyenas have a good sense of hearing. Also, they
can see very well at night. They are fast and can run for long
distances without tiring. Spotted hyenas
can make a wide variety of sounds.
Females usually give birth to 2 to 4 cubs. The cubs are born with
their eyes open. Cubs feed on their mother’s milk
for as long as 12 to 18 months. They begin to eat meat at about 5 months. At
about 1 year, cubs begin to follow their mothers on hunting treks. Spotted hyenas
can live for up to 25 years in the wild. |
|
|
|
