A young baby African spotted hyena lying on the ground looking at camera at Kruger national park
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a species of hyena, currently classed as the sole member of the genus Crocuta, native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is widespread and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals. The species is however experiencing declines outside of protected areas due to habitat loss and poaching. The species may have originated in Asia,and once ranged throughout Europe for at least one million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene. The presence of a pseudo-penis in the female and the only mammalian species to lack an external vaginal opening make it unique. The spotted hyena is social in that it has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviours. Its social organisation is unlike that of any other carnivore, bearing closer resemblance to that of primates like baboons and macaques with respect to group-size, hierarchical structure, and frequency of social interaction among both kin and unrelated group-mates. However, the social system of the spotted hyena is openly competitive rather than cooperative, with access to kills, mating opportunities and the time of dispersal for males depending on the ability to dominate other clan-members. Females provide only for their own cubs rather than assist each other, and males display no paternal care. Spotted hyena society is matriarchal; females are larger than males, and dominate them. The spotted hyena is a highly successful animal, being the most common large carnivore in Africa. Its success is due in part to its adaptability and opp
Size: 3760px × 2027px
Location: Kruger national park, South africa
Photo credit: © Govind RV Wildlife photography / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: africa, african, animal, carnivore, enemy, ground, hyena, jaws, kruger, lazing, lion, mammal, national, nocturnal, park, scavenger, social, south, spotted, strong, wildlife, young
