You may have heard that hyenas are dogs. They look like big dogs. But they are more closely related to cats. Spotted hyenas live in Africa. They live south of the Sahara desert. A spotted hyena has a big head and rounded ears. Its coat is short and rough. It has dark spots.

A spotted hyena stands about 2 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder. It can weigh up to about 190 pounds. Female hyenas are often bigger than males. Hyenas have strong jaws and sturdy teeth. Their teeth can crush big bones.

Spotted hyenas live in groups called clans. Female hyenas lead the clan. A clan has a den near the middle of its territory. Mothers and cubs stay at the den. Baby spotted hyenas are called cubs. They are born almost all black.

Spotted hyenas eat meat. Many meals are hoofed animals, such as wildebeest and zebra. Some people think hyenas only eat leftovers. But they hunt most of their own food. They also eat food they find. So they are not only scavengers. They hunt alone or in small groups. They use almost every part of their food.

Spotted hyenas make many different sounds. Two are whoops and giggles. That is why people call them laughing hyenas. They are called that because of the giggling sounds they make.

Words to know

• clan: a hyena family
• den: a home
• territory: home area
• wildebeest: a hoofed animal