Hyenas

Hyenas are highly skilled and successful predators. Although, hyenas are often thought of as scavengers, they are, in fact, aggressive hunters whose population in the wild is declining. Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is committed to protecting the future population of hyenas, and as a result, research is being conducted to explore potential breeding opportunities within the Edge of Africa® habitat.

Did you know?

Hyenas are good opportunistic hunters and they usually hunt alone. However, in order to catch larger prey, hyenas will hunt together in clans. A hyena’s diet is carnivorous; they prey on wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo, to name a few. Hyenas are able to digest bones, horns, and even the teeth of their prey. This allows them to be efficient predators in the wild.

Q: What is the average life span of a hyena?

BG: The average life span of a hyena is 12 years; however, some can live for a maximum of 20-25 years.

Q: Is a hyena more closely related to the cat or the dog?

BG: The hyena is more closely related to the mongoose and cat than the dog.

Q: What is the largest species of hyena?

BG: The largest species of hyena is the spotted hyena; the other species include the brown hyena and the striped hyena.

Q: In what part of the world will you find wild hyenas?

BG: Wild hyenas are found South of Sahara, except through areas with extreme desert conditions.

Q: What is a hyena clan?

BG: Clans are the territorial social groups hyenas live in, which can reach up to 70 members and are usually dominated by females.