Spotted Hyena Scientific Name: Crocuta crocuta Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater areas of Tanzania Habitat: Open, dry habitat; semi-desert, savannah, and mountainous forest areas of Africa Natural Diet: Small mammals up to large hoofed animals such as wildebeest or antelope; birds, lizards, snakes, and insects Zoo Diet: Carnivore diet and bones Physical  Characteristics: Sandy, yellowish or gray coat with black or dark brown spots.  The spots are darker in younger animals.  A hyena’s head and body size ranges from 35 to 60 inches.  They weigh from 100 to 190 pounds. Behavior: Spotted hyenas live in groups called clans. Clans, which are led by females, may have up to 80 hyenas.  Spotted hyenas are fast runners and can run long distances without tiring.  They work together to isolate an animal and chase it to its death.  They often kill large mammals such as a wildebeest or antelope, but they are also scavengers, eating the leftovers of other predators.  Spotted hyenas are vocal and make a variety of sounds.  Sometimes spotted hyenas are called laughing hyenas.  The name comes from their best known sound, the high pitched cackling "laugh." Reproduction: Females are capable of producing a litter an average of every 16 months. They have one to four offspring.  The gestation period is about 110 days. Spotted hyena offspring are independent by 18 months.   Video: Askari the Hyena Dives In! Askari enjoys going for a swim each morning at the zoo. He retrieves rocks that keepers toss into the pond, and even does a belly flop.   Meet the Hyenas Grubbie Female Born May 27, 1995 Askari Male Born November 14, 2006