Tüpfelhyäne (Crocuta crocuta) in der Lewa Savanne des Zoo Zürich

Spotted hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena has the strongest jaws of any mammal, relative to its body size. Contrary to its reputation, it is by no means a ‘lazy scavenger’.

LC

Red List
Least Concern
Breeding programme

In fact, the spotted hyena’s strong jaws and powerful legs enable it to tear its prey apart on its own. Its large heart supplies the body with sufficient oxygen for long periods whilst hunting, making the hyena a persistent hunter.

Spotted hyenas travel in family groups, which are usually led by a female. The cubs are born with their eyes open and their teeth already in place. From their very first hunt together, the cubs eat meat, even though they are not weaned off their mother’s milk until months later.

Taxonomy

hyenas (Hyaenidae), genus Crocuta

Habitat

open savanna, grassland and dry steppes and plains with large populations of ungulates; up to 4,100 metres above sea level.

Behaviour and ecology

diurnal; use burrows (some of which they dig themselves)

Social structure

in groups (clans) of up to 100 animals, with a hierarchy consisting of related females; males disperse and tend to live on the fringes of the clans

Habitat at the zoo:

Lewa Savanna
Young animals
4.8.2025
Taxonomy

hyenas (Hyaenidae), genus Crocuta

Habitat

open savanna, grassland and dry steppes and plains with large populations of ungulates; up to 4,100 metres above sea level.

Behaviour and ecology

diurnal; use burrows (some of which they dig themselves)

Social structure

in groups (clans) of up to 100 animals, with a hierarchy consisting of related females; males disperse and tend to live on the fringes of the clans

Habitat at the zoo:

Lewa Savanna

Godparent

Support the animals of Zoo Zurich with your annual godparent sponsorship

Spotted hyena for CHF 2'000.–

Become a godparent

Godparent

Support the animals of Zoo Zurich with your annual godparent sponsorship

Spotted hyena for CHF 2'000.–

Become a godparent

Impressionen

Foto: Zoo Zürich, Tim Benz

Foto: Zoo Zürich, Fabio Süess

Foto: Zoo Zürich, Fabio Süess

Foto: Zoo Zürich, Fabio Süess

Hyänenfakten

  • 500N

    500 bis 1000 Newton Beisskraft hat eine Tüpfelhyäne, je nach Messmethode.

  • 100

    Ein einzelner Hyänen-Clan kann bis zu 100 Tiere zählen.

  • 18kg

    Eine Hyäne kann bis zu 18 kg Nahrung pro Mahlzeit verschlingen.

    • Tierstimme

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