About Hyenas:
- Hyenas are doglike carnivores found in Asia and Africa and are noted for their scavenging habits.
- Family: Hyaenidae
- There are three hyena species — spotted (Crocuta crocuta), brown (Arahyaena brunnea), and striped (Hyaena hyaena). Spotted hyenas are the largest of the three.
- Habitat: Forest edges, grasslands, savannas, sub-deserts, and even mountains at an elevation of about 13,000 feet.
- Distribution: These animals live throughout Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
- Features:
- They are four-legged animals with scraggly fur and large ears.
- They have long forelegs and a powerful neck and shoulders for dismembering and carrying prey.
- They are tireless trotters with excellent sight, hearing, and smell for locating carrion, and they are proficient hunters as well.
- All hyenas are more or less nocturnal.
- These animals usually live for about 12 years, but they can live up to 25 years. Brown hyenas, however, typically have shorter lives.
- Conservation Status: According to IUCN, spotted hyenas have populations of least concern. However, brown and striped hyenas are classified as near threatened.
Q1) What is a Carnivore?
A carnivore is an organism, in most cases an animal, that eats meat. A carnivorous animal that hunts other animals is called a predator; an animal that is hunted is called prey.
Source: Hyenas inherit power from moms, but it’s a privilege they pay dearly for: Study
Last updated on June, 2025
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