Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
In relation to its body size, the spotted hyena has the most powerful jaws of all mammals. It is unjustly dubbed a lazy scavenger. In reality, it is their strong jaws and powerful legs that allow them to tear prey independently. Their large heart supplies the body with sufficient oxygen for a long time during the hunt, which makes the hyena a persistent hunter.
Spotted hyenas travel in family groups, which are usually led by a female. The newborns are already born with sight and teeth. From their first foray together, the cubs eat meat, although they are not weaned from their mother's milk until months later.
| Related to | Carnivores, "cat-like" carnivorans, hyenas (4 species) |
| Habitat | Open savannah, grasslands and dry steppes and plains with large ungulate populations. Up to 4'100 m.a.s.l. |
| Mode of life | Diurnal, use burrows (partly self-dug) |
| Social structure | In groups (clans) with up to 100 animals, hierarchy consisting of females related to each other; males migrate and tend to live on the fringes of the clans |
| Diet | Insects to large mammals, carrion or animals killed by themselves, waste. Up to 18 kg per meal |
| Weight | F: 55 to 85 kg, M: 40 to 55 kg, newborn: 900 to 1,200 g |
| Shoulder height | 70 - 90 cm |
| Mating season | All year round |
| Gestation time | 110 days |
| Litter size | Up to 4 young |
| Age of sexual maturity | At the age of 2 to 3 years |
| Life expectancy | Up to 40 years |
| At Zoo Zurich since | 2020 |
Distribution
Tierstimme
Sponsors
| M. + Ch. Steffen, Stäfa | |
| E. + W. Haas, Küsnacht | |
| F. Ebert, Zürich | |
| Norline AG, Neuhausen am Rheinfall | |
| U. Staubli-Singer, Bülach | |
| Zaunteam Zürich Oberland GmbH, Gutenswil | |
| A. Bühler, Freienbach | |
| P. Gander, Aesch ZH | |
| R. Gantenbein, Zürich |
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Babies
Born:
Conservation status
Breeding programme
