Across North America, public interest in regional wildlife often sparks questions about which animals inhabit certain areas. This can lead to misconceptions about species distribution. Understanding natural ranges clarifies these curiosities and highlights unique biodiversity.
The Absence of Hyenas in North Carolina
Hyenas are not found in the wild in North Carolina. Their absence is primarily due to geographical and ecological factors that limit their natural range to other continents.
The specific environmental conditions and prey availability in North Carolina do not align with the specialized requirements of modern hyena species. Therefore, any reports or sightings of hyena-like animals in the state are instances of misidentification.
North Carolina Wildlife Often Confused for Hyenas
Several native North Carolina animals might be mistaken for hyenas by an untrained observer, due to their size, appearance, or vocalizations. Coyotes, bobcats, and even some large feral dogs are among the species that can lead to such confusion.
Coyotes, common throughout North Carolina, are canids weighing between 20 and 45 pounds. They have pointed, erect ears, long slender snouts, and a bushy, black-tipped tail. Their fur color varies from dark gray to blonde, red, or black, and they are highly adaptable, inhabiting diverse environments from agricultural fields to suburban areas. Coyotes are known for a wide range of vocalizations, including howls, yelps, and barks.
Bobcats, the state’s only wild cat, are smaller than hyenas but can still be mistaken due to their build. An adult bobcat stands 20 to 30 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 10 and 40 pounds. They have a short, “bobbed” tail with light brown to reddish-brown fur, often with dark spots or bars. Bobcats are solitary and elusive, often active at dawn and dusk, and are known for an “eerie” vocalization sometimes referred to as a “bobcat scream.”
Feral dogs, domesticated animals that have become wild, can also be confused for wild canids or even hyenas. These dogs often travel in packs and can develop physical traits like short hair, a lean body, long legs, and pointed ears after generations in the wild. Their opportunistic feeding habits and ability to scavenge can lead them to areas where they might be observed and misidentified.
Where Hyenas Naturally Live
Hyenas are carnivorous mammals primarily native to Africa and parts of Asia. There are four existing species: the spotted hyena, brown hyena, striped hyena, and aardwolf. These animals inhabit a broad spectrum of environments, including savannas, grasslands, woodlands, forest edges, semi-deserts, and even mountainous regions up to 4,000 meters.
Spotted hyenas, the most widespread species, are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Brown hyenas are typically found in southern Africa. Striped hyenas have a range extending across northern and eastern Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The aardwolf, the smallest hyena species, is found in eastern and southern Africa. The distinct climates and ecosystems of these regions are vastly different from those found in North Carolina, explaining why hyenas do not naturally occur in the state.