FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The brown hyena, Hyaena brunnea, or Parahyaena brunnea as it is scientifically known is the second largest of the hyena species after spotted hyenas. The brown hyena diet is primarily based on carcasses of dead animals but it sometimes also known to eat live prey such as birds and small mammals. These are dominant and large carnivores in the Kalahari desert and are found in South Africa. The habitat of these animals is arid regions and grasslands and scrublands in South Africa. These hyenas do not have a mating or breeding season and often mate from May-August. Cubs are born in a communal den in remote places and the hyena cubs are born with their eyes closed and the young leave their den when they are around 18 months old. They have long and shaggy coats or hair and pointed ears. The brown hyena skull is larger than other carnivores or animals. The brown hyena call includes whines and growls. Brown hyena sound ranges for various purposes such as ordering young cubs into the den. The clans of these animals have 4-15 mixed-sex individuals. Young males or cubs join other groups or clans when they reach adulthood. It is believed that the clan of these animals is dominated by females or is female-centric. The behavior of Parahyaena brunnea or Hyaena brunnea tends to be aggressive when in confrontation and they are known to challenge other animals for food. This animal is quite fascinating to know about and if you are interested, read about plains zebra and striped hyena, too.
The brown hyena is a type of hyena.
The brown hyena belongs to the class of mammals.
The global estimation of the number of brown hyenas in the world is 4000-10000, according to IUCN.
This species of hyena are only found in desert regions of South Africa.
The brown hyena habitat includes grasslands, scrublands, savannahs, and semi-deserts regions. They prefer rocky, mountainous areas for shade.
Brown hyenas are believed to be solitary animals but sometimes are seen in clans with around 4-15 individuals.
The lifespan of the brown hyena ranges from 12-15 years.
Brown hyenas do not have a breeding or mating season, they mate generally from May to August. Males and females in the same clan do not mate with each other, females mate with nomadic males. Females hyenas are polyestrous and produce their first litter when they are two years old. Females give birth in dens hidden in remote sand dunes. The gestation period lasts for about three months. A brown hyena cub is born with eyes closed and it opens them after eight days and leaves its dens after 18 months. These hyenas reach full size at about 30 months.
The conservation status of brown hyenas is Near Threatened because of overhunting by humans and predators like lions and loss of habitat.
The brown hyena is the second largest species of hyena after spotted hyenas. Like other hyena species, the forelegs of this animal are longer and built more than the hind legs. This feature makes them appear constantly walking uphill. The chest, skull, head, and shoulders are strongly or heavily built. The teeth of this animal are stronger than other carnivores. To identify this hyena from others, look for long, shaggy hair which ranges from dark brown to black and tan on shoulders and neck. The hair on the face, ears, and legs is shorter and horizontally striped. This hyena has erect, large, and pointed ears and the tail is relatively short and bushy and has almost the same color as the body.
Brown hyenas are not considered cute animals by some, although as they are dog-like, some may find them endearing.
These hyenas have a well-developed sense of smell and a thorough examination of the neck, head, back and anal gland takes place. These scent markings are important for marking territories and this helps in communicating important information among clan members without physical interaction. These scents help in hyenas knowing if any particular has been already searched for food and about territorial boundaries. Visual displays are also used, such as when the cubs push the female mammary glands with their front paws to express their want to suckle. Vocal communication includes whines and squeals as a warning about predators approaching. A slightly quiet call is used to order cubs into the den and deep growls sometimes means meeting between rivals.
Brown hyenas are around 27-31 in (700-800 mm) tall and their length ranges from 34-55 in (860-1400 mm). The weight of these hyenas ranges from 84-97 lb (38-44 kg).
Brown hyenas can reach a speed of 50 mph (80 kph).
Female hyenas can weigh up to 84-88 lb (38-40 kg) and male hyenas weigh around 88-97 lb (40-44 kg).
There are no specific names for males and females of these species.
A baby brown hyena is called a cub.
These hyenas are highly opportunistic feeders and they primarily scavenge for carrion and use their sense of smell to find carcasses. While these animals are known not to catch live prey, when an opportunity arises, they prey on small mammals or birds in short distances. Their diet varies from region to region, for instance, the diet of inland hyenas is composed of remains from the kill of large carnivores like African lions and leopards. The most commonly consumed animals include springbok, springhare, gemsbok, and Burchell's zebra. Hyenas living near the Skeleton's coast in western Namibia eat black-backed jackals and south African fur seal pups. The diet also includes birds like crowned plover and helmeted guineafowl in both regions.
Hyenas are considered to be dangerous but less dangerous as compared to other big cats.
Brown hyenas are wild and can be tamed but they cannot be kept as pets. These are large animals and require a lot of care and regular enrichment. The amount of meat required to feed the hyenas is also too much.
The brown hyena is the second biggest hyena after spotted hyenas.
Brown hyenas consume a lot of tsama melon, hookeri melon, and gemsbok melon as supplements or alternate for freshwater during the dry season. This helps the hyena to live in arid regions longer than their relatives, the spotted hyena.
These hyenas in some areas wander for about 30 km a night for food.
When in a fight or confrontation, these hyenas raise their long brown mane and fluff out their creamy neck ruff in order to look big and scary. These features can get torn off or damaged during fights.
This species can survive on the edge of suburbia. One may occasionally find it in Magaliesburg hills, north of Pretoria.
The brown hyena, being the rarest species, is commonly mistaken for the African Wild Dog because of its long shaggy coat, striped legs, and white marks.
These animals are more closely related to mongooses instead of canines.
These hyenas are aggressive and confrontational and do not get scared of confronting or challenging lions and leopards for food.
These hyenas have strong and powerful jaws and larger skulls compared to their relatives and thus, they can grind through the harder bones. These hyenas have the ability to eat an entire zebra in half an hour.
Hyenas have a large frontal cortex and have shown more advanced problem-solving abilities and better social skills than a chimpanzee.
Female hyenas have only two nipples and thus, the cubs compete for food often leading to the death of a cub or two due to starvation; it is believed that the larger the litter size, the more brutal the competition is.
Brown hyenas are considered to be quieter than spotted hyenas and cannot swim, unlike the spotted ones.
The brown hyena is also called an Afrikaans Strandwolf (beach dog) because of its habit of combing the shoreline for dead seals and other dead animals.
These hyenas are known to mark their territory by scent marking, where they frequently paste the anal scent gland secretions which are of two types on the vegetation within the territory. They are also sometimes known to put grass around. Whereas male hyenas do not leave their natal clan for long periods.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including mongoose or African wild dog.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our hyena coloring pages.
https://africafreak.com/brown-hyena
https://www.discountafricanhunts.com/m/africananimals/brown-hyena.html
https://www.britannica.com/animal/brown-hyena
https://naturalselection.travel/blog/uncategorized/all-about-and-where-to-see-them-brown-hyenas/
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.