LAUGHING HYENA

Crocuta crocuta The Laughing Hyena or Spotted Hyena is a species of mongoose found in Africa. The name Laughing Hyena comes from their bark which sounds like a laugh or whoop. Adults are tan and covered in dark spots. It has a dog-like build and measures 6 Ft (2 M) long, making it the largest hyena species. The fur is raised along the animal's back. The Hyena has a wide head with a blunt muzzle and rounded ears. It has an extremely powerful bite force of up to 1,100 Psi, allowing it to chew through bone. The hyena's legs are powerfully built legs and can run up to 37 Mph (60 Kph,) making it one of the fastest mammals.

Hyenas live in large, social groups known as clans which can have up to 80 members. Females are more dominant than the males and show complex hierarchy. Offspring of higher females are more dominant among the other hyenas as well. The clan will occasionally split into groups at different times of day. The entire clan lives in a communal den, which may be used by the clan for years. Although typically thought of as scavengers, the clan hunts for Wildebeest, Giraffes, Zebras and Antelope. The clan hunts mostly by ambush and tracking. They track prey using sight, hearing and smell. The Hyena will occasionally steal kills from other hunters. They can chew and digest large bones from the animal.