Spotted Hyena

"Nasty spotty creature that will bite your legs off given the chance."
"Not like I would kick them!"
"Yeah, don't, or we'll have to make very long skinny peg legs."

Basic Information

Anatomy

Hyenas have a barrel-shaped body covered in spots and hunched over, and they stand on four legs.
They appear wolf-shaped but aren't wolves.

Biological Traits

Hyenas are known for their sheer biting power, said to be able to bite through human, horse, or even elephant bones in one blow.

Genetics and Reproduction

Male and female hyenas look so alike that early naturalists thought they were hermaphrodites.
Recent studies showed that only females can carry their cubs, and unlike most animals, female hyenas are vicious towards male ones.
Because of this, female hyenas appear to prefer passive males.
Hyenas remain pregnant for about 100 days, then deliver a litter of cubs with sharp baby teeth.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Hyenas are carnivores. Though they can hunt, many hyenas prefer to steal their food from other predators.
Nobody is able to determine whether they are just plain lazy, or smart enough to save themselves the trouble.
When hunting, hyenas charge the prey in small groups after tracking by sight. When they manage to land a kill, they will throttle smaller animals, and immediately eat larger animals without killing them.

Additional Information

Domestication

The only people who have domesticated hyenas are the Vigil Islanders, and even then it's a tenuous relationship.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Among the Vigil Islanders who have kept hyenas, the most common purpose is to use them as door guards.
It is effective as not many intruders want to be bitten to pieces by savage animals.

Facial characteristics

They have big round ears, little dark eyes, enormous muzzles, and large mouths full of teeth.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Commonly found on the African mainland, and in scattered populations around the Sky Archipelago due to the Vigil Islanders bringing them along.

Average Intelligence

They are apparently intelligent enough to scavenge food when it's easier than hunting.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have the five basic senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.

Scientific Name

Crocouta crocouta

Lifespan

12 years

Conservation Status

Hyenas are not under threat of extinction, they're considered pests in most of Africa and the surrounding islands.

Average Height

0.7 - 0.9 m (shoulder height)

Average Weight

40 - 55 kg (male) 45 - 65 kg (female)

Average Length

0.95 - 1.65 m

Average Physique

As stated previously, hyenas are hunched over and shaped like barrels. Hyena tails aren't much to write about either, being little stumps.