Spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta (Erxleben, 1777)



Captive spotted hyaena
Photo: Quinette Kruger

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Hyaenidae
Genus: Crocuta
Species: crocuta

Description: Spoor of spotted hyaena Tags: spoor, spotted hyaena, spotted, hyaena, hyena

The spotting on the body of spotted hyaena clearly distinguishes it from the brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea). Compared to the pointed ears of the brown hyaena, the spotted hyaena has rounded ears. 

The spotted hyaena is a hunter-scavenger, although it is regarded by many as a prime scavenger. Their diet includes predominantly large or medium-sized ungulates such as impala (Aepyceros melampus), wildebeest (Connochaetus taurinus), and zebra (Equus burchelli), although they hunt and scavenge a wide range of other food items.

Literature
Skinner, J.D. and Smithers, R.H.N., 1990. The Mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, South Africa.



BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Elfrieda van den Berg (Marketing Manager)
T: +27 51 401 2531
E:vdberge@ufs.ac.za

QWAQWA CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Dilahlwane Mohono (Faculty Officer)
T: +27 58 718 5284
E:naturalscienceqq@ufs.ac.za

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