Spotted hyaenas were once a common species in most of sub-Saharan Africa, but now have a patchy distribution south of the Sahara.
Tag: Spotted Hyaena
The spotted hyaena is named for its spotted coat and is known as the laughing hyaena because of its giggling cry. Although thought to be just a scavenger, this African carnivore is an effective endurance hunter. It lives in clans of 3-80 in which females are dominant and masculinated.