Introduction - Although hyena have a reputation of being scavengers they are actually very efficient hunters with very powerful jaws. Adult hyenas can run at speeds of up to 60 km per hour. Female hyena are larger than males and have an erectile clitoris (which makes it virtually impossible to distinguish between the sexes). Clans of Hyena are led by the females.

Although spotted hyena look similar to canines they are in fact more closely related to cats. The heavy built of the forequarters is reflected in size of the front feet, which are larger than the hind.

Once widespread throughout Namibia, spotted hyenas can now mainly be found in Etosha National Park, Kaokoland, the Caprivi Strip, Kavango and Bushmanland areas. Other small populations also exists in the Namib desert, and within the Skeleton Coast National Park.

Diet - Can hunt wildebeest and zebra, but will scavenge on most meat

Colouring - It is greyish-drab to rufous in body colour and is covered with large spots

Breeding - 1 - 4 young are born anytime during the year (with a peak in late summer) after a gestation period of ± 3 months.

Size - Weight (Female) : 56 - 80 kg, Weight (Male) : 46 - 79 kg, around 1.5m long

Wildlife Namibia

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