Questions about hyenas in unexpected regions like Texas often arise from sightings of unfamiliar animals or unusual sounds. Understanding their true habitats and distinguishing them from native wildlife can clarify these misconceptions.
The Truth About Hyenas in Texas
Hyenas are not native to Texas or any other part of the United States. While an extinct genus, Chasmaporthetes, existed in North America millions of years ago, current hyena species are not part of the contemporary Texan ecosystem. Reports of hyena sightings often stem from misidentification.
Where Hyenas Truly Roam
Hyenas are found across various parts of Africa and Asia, with four distinct species inhabiting diverse environments. The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) primarily roams sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and even mountainous areas. Striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) have a broader range, extending across North and East Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, preferring arid and semi-arid regions. The brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) is found in southern Africa, specifically in countries like Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, inhabiting deserts, semi-deserts, and open woodlands. The aardwolf (Proteles cristatus), the smallest hyena species, lives in two separate populations in East and Southern Africa, favoring dry, open savannas and grasslands where its primary food source, termites, are abundant.
Commonly Confused Texas Wildlife
Animals native to Texas are sometimes mistaken for hyenas due to similarities in appearance, vocalizations, or behavior. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are frequently misidentified, especially those suffering from sarcoptic mange. This condition causes hair loss, giving them a gaunt appearance some associate with hyenas. However, coyotes are considerably smaller than hyenas, typically weighing between 20 to 50 pounds, while spotted hyenas can weigh up to 150 pounds.
Another animal sometimes confused with hyenas is the bobcat (Lynx rufus). These wild felines, common across Texas, are known for producing a variety of vocalizations, including screams and unsettling “humanlike” sounds, particularly during mating season. These sounds can be startling, leading individuals to believe a larger, unfamiliar animal is present. Bobcats are much smaller than hyenas, generally weighing between 15 to 30 pounds. While feral dogs are also present in Texas, coyotes and bobcats are more commonly reported as being mistaken for the distinct appearance or sounds attributed to hyenas.