Carnivores are a varied group of animals that generally share some anatomical aspects related to dentition and eating habits linked to meat consumption; however, there are certain species that are an exception. Within this order we find the hyenas, which have various extinct genera and other living ones. Continue reading this article on our site so you can learn about the types of hyenas and their characteristics
Classification of hyenas
There are currently four species of hyenas, grouped into three genera. Their classification is as follows:
- Animalia Kingdom
- Filo: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Family: Hyaenidae
- Genera: Hyaena, Crocuta and Proteles
- Species: H. brunnea, H. hyaena, C. crocuta and P. cristata
Brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea)
The brown hyena has the following characteristics:
- It has sizes between medium and large, reaching weights of 34 to 73 kg, with averages of 40 kg.
- The body measures from 1.30 to 1.60 meters, with an average of 1.44 meters.
- There are no very marked differences between males and females, although eventually the males may be a little heavier.
- The height of this type of hyena is on average about 0.78 meters.
- Characterized as the second largest type of hyena.
- The front limbs are larger and more solid than the hind limbs.
- Based on the trait above, his appearance is slanted.
- He has a strong skull, neck, shoulders and chest.
- Your teeth are large, strong and well developed.
- Presents well-developed vocal communication.
- Its appearance is typically long and unkempt, which distinguishes it from other hyenas.
- The coat color is generally blackish brown towards the shoulders and neck.
- The face, ears and legs are streaked.
- He has pointy ears.
- It's mainly at night.
- Form organized clans.
- Males are usually nomads, females can only be so if they don't have young to care for.
- They usually hunt alone.
- The alpha females do not overlap the males.
- It has a high development of chemical communication, which it uses quickly when there are encounters between individuals, in addition to the scent trails it leaves in the territory.
- The visual communication also has an important role is the species.
You may be interested in taking a look at the following article on our site about What do hyenas eat?
Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena)
Regarding this type of hyena we can mention that its most outstanding characteristics are:
- It has a height between 0.65 to 0.80 meters, with an average of one meter.
- Weight varies from 25 to 45 kg.
- The males are usually slightly heavier than the females, so this is an example of sexual dimorphism between them.
- It has long fur, which stands on end when disturbed or threatened.
- The coloration is usually grayish to brown, the snout is black and it has black stripes on the head, trunk and legs.
- The ears are large and also pointed.
- He has a social organization, although he may have solitary habits.
- Hunt individually.
- You don't have a well-developed vocal communication.
- You can use the chemical communication with scent trails.
- Exhibits submissive behavior to the spotted hyena.
Now that you know 2 types of hyenas, let's see the other 2 types that exist.
Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
The spotted hyena has the following characteristic features:
- It has a length between 0.95 to 1.5 meters.
- The height is usually between 0.75 to 0.85 meters.
- It has a relatively long tail between 30 and 36 cm, with a hairy black tip.
- Females are heavier than males, ranging from 55 to 70 kg, while the latter have masses of approximately 45 to 60 kg.
- It has a strong appearance, with a solid neck and head.
- The ears are rounded, which differs from other types of hyenas.
- Its jaws have great strength.
- It has a somewhat odd looking downward, caused by the front limbs being longer than the hind limbs.
- The coat is sandy, yellowish or grayish in color, also with dark spots almost all over the body.
- Form clans that are usually numerous.
- The females are dominant over the males.
- Emits different types of sounds, including a kind of laughter.
- It has chemical communication by leaving traces of feces in specific areas and scent marks.
Where do hyenas live? Find out the answer to this question, here.
Garden Wolf (Proteles cristata)
This type of hyena is also known as termite-eating hyena or aardvark, and they are a peculiar species within the group. Now, let's see the characteristics of this type of hyena:
- There is no sexual dimorphism, that is, there are no differences in weight, size or color between males and females.
- The weight has a range between 8 and 14 kg.
- The length of the body varies between 0.85 and 1.05 meters.
- It has a tail that goes from 20 to 30 cm approximately.
- Unlike other hyena species, this hyena has the smaller molar teeth because it eats an exclusively termite-based diet.
- The skull is a thin structure.
- The color of the fur is yellowish or brown, with thick hairs and black stripes.
- The legs are usually darker than the rest of the body.
- The ears are pointed.
- They have a stooped posture because the front legs are longer than the back ones.
- This species and the striped hyena are two types of hyenas that are very similar in appearance.
- It's mainly from night habits.
- It is kept singly or in pairs all its life, although it can feed in small groups.
- He hardly develops vocal communication, unless under threat.
- Use the chemical communication with the use of an anal gland.
If you are still curious about these animals, we leave you the following post on our site about How do hyenas hunt? so you can learn more about them.
How many hyenas are there in the world?
Depending on the type of hyena we are talking about, there will be one population number or another. In this way, we find that:
- Of the spotted hyena: in 2015, provisionally, between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals were estimated. However, although it is reported as being in the category of least concern, its population is declining.
- From the brown hyena: in 2014 it was classified as near threatened, and at that time with a stable population, estimates indicated that there were less than 10,000 mature individuals.
- Striped Hyena: Classified as Near Threatened with a declining population. As for the population, there are certain difficulties for more exact estimates, but in 2015 it was considered that it was between 5,000 and 14,000 individuals.
- From the termite-eating hyena: Classified as Least Concern, with a stable population. Data on the estimated number of individuals is not indicated.
