MammalsLeast Concern

Spotted Hyena

✓ Reviewed by Nhongo Safaris Field Guide · Updated 4 November 2026

Spotted Hyena at a glance

Height70–90 cm at the shoulder
Weight40–65 kg (females are larger than males)
Lifespan12–20 years in the wild
DietWildebeest, zebra, impala and other antelope, plus carrion
Clan sizeUp to 80 members, led by a dominant female
ActiveMostly at night, dusk and dawn
GestationAbout 110 days, usually 1–2 cubs
Conservation statusLeast Concern (IUCN Red List)

Track and paw print

Roughly 8–10 cm across. Four toes with blunt claw marks showing, and a large, rounded heel pad. Unlike a cat's, the claws do not retract.

Lesser-known facts

Spotted hyenas are far more than scavengers. They hunt and kill most of their own food, and lions often steal from them, not the other way around.

Hyena clans are run by females. The females are larger than the males and hold the top ranks, and a cub inherits its place in the clan from its mother.

The famous "laugh" is really a nervous or excited call. A hyena's jaws crush bone with ease, and its stomach acid digests it, which is why hyena droppings are often chalky white. Their long "whoop" call can carry for several kilometres at night.

Where to spot it in Kruger

Look for dens near road culverts and drainage pipes, and for clans gathering at kills at dusk. Night drives and early mornings give the best chances.

Guide tip

Listen for the long, rising "whoop" call at night, and watch for vultures dropping to the ground at dawn. Both can lead you to a clan at a kill.

Photo gallery

Questions and answers

Do hyenas really laugh?

The famous "laugh" is a nervous or excited call, often made when a hyena is frustrated or competing for food. Their other call, a long rising "whoop", can carry for several kilometres at night.

Are hyenas just scavengers?

No. Spotted hyenas hunt and kill most of their own food, and lions often steal from them, not the other way around. They also scavenge when the chance comes, and their strong jaws can crush bone.

Why are female hyenas bigger than males?

Hyena clans are run by females, who are larger than the males and hold the top ranks. A cub inherits its place in the clan from its mother.

Where is the best place to see spotted hyenas in Kruger?

Look for dens near road culverts and drainage pipes, and for clans gathering at kills at dusk. Night drives and early mornings give the best chances.

Are spotted hyenas dangerous?

Yes. Hyenas are powerful, bold predators with extremely strong jaws. Always stay inside your vehicle, never leave food out near a camp, and follow your guide's instructions.

Best time to see the Spotted Hyena

Best months: May–Sep

Hyenas are active all year round. In the dry winter months the bush is thinner and clans gather near water, so they are easier to find. Dusk and after dark are best.

Watch the Spotted Hyena

About the Spotted Hyena

The spotted hyena is one of the most misunderstood animals in the Kruger National Park. Often thought of as a scavenger, it is a skilled hunter that kills most of its own food, running down prey such as wildebeest, zebra and impala over long distances. Its powerful jaws can crush bone, and its stomach acid digests it.

Hyenas live in clans of up to 80 animals, run by a dominant female. The females are larger than the males and hold the highest ranks, and a cub inherits its place in the clan from its mother. Cubs are raised in a communal den, often in a drainage pipe or an old burrow, and the clan stays in touch with giggles, whoops and rumbles that carry for kilometres across the bush at night.

Hyenas are mostly active at night, at dusk and at dawn. On a guided drive, especially a night drive, your field guide listens for their calls and watches for signs such as tracks, vultures and fresh kills, and knows how to give a clan the space it needs while you watch.