Spotted Hyaena
(Crocuta Crocuta)
- Height 80-94cm
- Weight 77kg
- Breeding 1-2 in litter in burrows
- Gestation 3 ½ months
- Longevity 40 years
The Spotted Hyaena is found throughout the South Luangwa National Park, and their characteristic eerie whooping howl is the soundtrack to many night game drives.
They mostly scavenge for food, normally feeding on animals that
have died naturally or taking other animals kills. Hyaena are opportunist
hunters that normally take smaller easier prey as it crosses their
path.
When out on a walking safari, it is often easy to spot Hyaena droppings, due to their white colour which resembles chalk. They have this appearance as the Hyaena's consume the bones left over from kills.
Large predators, such as Leopards, normally are reluctant to engage in altercations with Hyenas as they fear injury. This results in the Hyaena's being able to easily drive other animals away from their kills.
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