Spotted hyena Facts for Kids
Crocuta crocuta · kroh-KOO-tuh kroh-KOO-tuh
A strong African animal with a spotted coat and a sloping back.
- 🏃 37 mph60 km/h1
- ⚖️ 99 to 154 lb45 to 70 kg1
- 📏 4.1 to 6.1 ft1.3 to 1.9 m1 long
- 🎂 20 years20 years1
- 🍽️ meat
- Doing fine (Least Concern)
A spotted hyena is a big, strong animal with a spotted coat. Its back slopes down toward its tail. It lives in Africa.
Spotted hyenas live across Africa south of the Sahara, in open, dry places such as savanna, semi-desert and mountain forest. A spotted hyena eats land animals that have a backbone, and it can run fast over a long way to reach its food.
Spotted hyenas live throughout Africa south of the Sahara. They like open, dry places: semi-desert, savanna, acacia bush and mountain forest. A spotted hyena eats land animals that have a backbone, and it can run fast over a long way to reach its food. It also cleans up what other animals leave. In the wild, a spotted hyena can live for many years.
How big is a spotted hyena?
Spotted hyena in numbers
| Length | 4.1 to 6.1 ft1.3 to 1.9 m1head and body plus tail, added |
|---|---|
| Height at the shoulder | 30 to 33 in75 to 85 cm1at the shoulder |
| Weight | 99 to 154 lb45 to 70 kg1males and females; some females weigh more |
| Top speed (running) | 37 mph60 km/h1up to; chasing food over a long way |
| How long it lives | 20 years20 years1about; in the wild |
| What it eats | land animals that have a backbone |
| Where it lives | open, dry places across Africa south of the Sahara, from semi-desert to savanna and mountain forest |
| What kind | Mammals |
| Is it in danger? | Doing fine (Least Concern)2 |
A number we couldn’t find on a page we trust says so, instead of guessing.
Wow!
- A spotted hyena can run fast over a long way.
- It lives in savanna, semi-desert and mountain forest.
- It also cleans up what other animals leave.
Compare the spotted hyena
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Books about the spotted hyena, free at the library
Ask a grown-up to tap the button: it shows where to borrow a book about the spotted hyena for free.
For teachers
Use this animal in class: its facts are on this page, and the cards print from it.
Where these numbers come from
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web: Crocuta crocuta (spotted hyena), checked 10 November 2026.
- Wikidata, from the IUCN Red List, checked 10 November 2026.
- Wikidata, Spotted hyena (Q178089), checked 30 October 2026.