Weight
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Size
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Lifespan
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Population
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Scientific name: Hyæna Brunnea
Family: Hyaenidae
Genus: Hyaena
Distribution/habitat : the Brown Hyena is endemic to southern Africa, primarily found in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique. Its preferred habitats are arid and semi-arid regions such as the Kalahari and Namib Deserts, where it roams vast expanses in search of food. It also inhabits dry savannas and shrub-covered steppes, where resources are scattered yet sufficient for survival. Highly adapted to open and dry environments, the Brown Hyena avoids dense forests, which do not suit its nomadic scavenger lifestyle. It can also be found along coastal areas — particularly dunes and rocky shores — where it is sometimes nicknamed the strandwolf (“beach wolf”) for its coastal presence.
Diet: the Brown Hyena plays a vital ecological role as a scavenger, naturally cleaning up carcasses within its ecosystem. It feeds on the remains left behind by lions, leopards, and other predators.
Weight: Females: approximately 37.7–40.2 kg; males: approximately 40.2–43.7 kg
Length: average length of about 144 cm (ranging from 130 to 160 cm), and a shoulder height between 70 and 80 cm.
Lifespan: up to 12 years in the wild and around 15 years in captivity.
Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN)
Individuals: approximately 8,000 individuals
Demographic trend: low but stable
Sources: IUCN
