You may have heard that hyenas are dogs. They look like big dogs. But they are more like cats. They are closely related.

Spotted hyenas live in Africa. They live south of the Sahara desert.

A spotted hyena has a big head. It has rounded ears. Its coat is short and rough. It has dark spots.

It can weigh up to about 190 pounds. It stands about 2 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder.

Spotted hyenas live in groups called clans. Some people think male hyenas lead. In fact, female hyenas lead the clan.

A clan has a den. The den is near the middle of its territory. Mothers and cubs stay there.

Baby spotted hyenas are called cubs. A cub is born almost all black.

Spotted hyenas eat meat. Many meals are hoofed animals. Wildebeest and zebra are two. Hyenas have strong jaws and teeth.

They make many different sounds. Two are whoops and giggles. They are called laughing hyenas. That is because of the giggles they make.

Words to know

• clans: hyena families
• den: a home
• cubs: baby hyenas
• jaws: mouth bones
• giggles: small laughs