Hyenas are fascinating carnivores found across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. These unique mammals are known for their distinctive social structures, particularly the matriarchal clans of spotted hyenas. They also possess a wide range of vocalizations, from whoops to the well-known “giggle.”
Hyena Species and Their Dimensions
The largest among the four hyena species is the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), characterized by its robust build and spotted coat. Spotted hyenas measure between 95 to 165.8 centimeters (37.4 to 65.3 inches) in body length, with a shoulder height ranging from 70 to 91.5 centimeters (27.6 to 36.0 inches). Females are generally larger and heavier than males, weighing 44.5 to 63.9 kilograms (98 to 141 pounds), while males weigh 40.5 to 55.0 kilograms (89.3 to 121.3 pounds).
The brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) ranks as the second largest, distinguishable by its shaggy, dark brown fur. They have a body length of 130 to 160 centimeters (51 to 63 inches) and stand 70 to 80 centimeters (28 to 31 inches) tall at the shoulder. Their weight ranges from 34.2 to 72.6 kilograms (75.3 to 159.9 pounds), with little significant size difference between males and females.
Striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) are slightly smaller than brown hyenas and are identifiable by their vertical stripes. They measure 85 to 130 centimeters (33 to 51 inches) in body length and have a shoulder height of 60 to 80 centimeters (24 to 31 inches). They weigh between 22 to 55 kilograms (49 to 121 pounds), with males often larger than females.
The smallest member of the hyena family is the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus), an insectivorous species with a slender build. Their body length ranges from 55 to 80 centimeters (22 to 31 inches), and they stand 40 to 50 centimeters (16 to 20 inches) at the shoulder. They weigh between 8 to 12 kilograms (18 to 26 pounds), with no significant size difference between the sexes.
Size in Context
Comparing hyenas to more familiar animals helps understand their size. Spotted hyenas, the largest species, are heavier than most gray wolves, though some large wolves are comparable. Wolves often have a longer body length, but spotted hyenas have greater shoulder height. They are also larger than most large domestic dog breeds.
Several factors influence hyena size, contributing to variations within species. Age plays a role; hyenas grow and develop, with females of some species (e.g., spotted hyenas) growing faster to achieve larger size. Food and prey availability also impacts growth and body mass, with abundant resources supporting larger individuals. Geographical location also leads to size differences, such as spotted hyenas in Zambia being heavier than those in the Serengeti, or striped hyenas from the Middle East being larger than those from East Africa.