10 Interesting Hyena Facts Accompanied With Adorable Images
Find out more Hyena facts here.
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Hyaenidae
Hyenas are large, dog-like carnivores but aren't members of the dog or cat family. They are so unique that they have a family all their own called Hyaenidae!
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Habitat
You can find these guys in the savannas, sub-deserts, grasslands, and the forests and mountains of Africa and Asia.
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A mom and her cub
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Lifespan
Their average lifespan is that of 12 years, but they can live up to 25 years.
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Spotted Hyenas
Spotted hyenas are actually the largest hyenas, and can range anywhere between 4 to 6 feet in length (1.2-1.8 meters). They also can weigh up to 190 pounds (86 kilograms)!
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Aardwolves
The smallest hyenas are called aardwolves, but are not in fact wolves at all. They range between 33 to 41 inches (85 to 105 centimeter) and one-fourth of that length is just the tail! They weigh up to 30 pounds (14kg).
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Female domination
Female spotted hyenas are stronger, more muscular and much more aggressive than their male counterparts. This is because the female hyenas have 3 times as much testosterone in their body than the males do.
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Nocturnal
Hyenas are usually nocturnal animals but sometimes will venture out in the early-morning.
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Cubs
Hyenas usually bear litters of about two to four cubs. And the cubs are born with their eyes open!
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10
The "laugh"
Their infamous laugh is actually a form of communication to relay excitement or even frustration. The laugh is usually heard during a hunt.
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Social intelligence
A study done by Duke University showed a pair of captive hyenas performed better at problem-solving and social cooperation than chimpanzees! And even more amazing, they managed to solve all the problems in silence, using only non-verbal signals to communicate.
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