Sourcemined
Planet Zoo 2
AnimalChecked against build 25971395

Spotted Hyena

The spotted hyena (or Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are generalist predators that can live in most environments – although they are not found in rainforests or deserts – and their strong forelimbs, well-muscled neck, and comparatively weaker hind limbs give them a distinctive appearance.

Their head is broad with a wide snout and they have sandy fur with black spots, as well as a mane down their neck to their mid back.

Adult spotted hyenas stand 70cm to 92cm tall at the shoulder, with females being larger and also heavier than males. On average, males weigh 40kg to 55kg, while females weigh 44kg to 64kg.

Crocuta crocuta

Habitat needs

Land
940 m²
+180 m² per additional adult
Shelter
10 m²
per animal
Temperature
14–41 °C
tolerable variance 5 °C below, 5 °C above
Plant cover
10%–40%
Group
2–3
mixed: up to 2 male, 2 female
Barrier
Grade 3
3 m high

Space is a minimum plus an amount per additional adult; the game's help adds that juveniles don't count. Plan a mixed habitat in the habitat planner.

Dislikes rain and snow.

Terrain

TerrainMinimumMaximum
Sand0%50%
Grass20%80%
Rock0%50%
Soil10%50%

Share of the habitat's terrain.

Barriers with resistance grade 3 or higher 10

At least 3 m high. No water barrier. Grades are the ones the game's barrier tooltips state.

Enrichment it uses 7

Enrichment target: toys 80 + 100 per additional adult; feeders 10 + 5 per additional adult.

Food, life and breeding

Food
Nutritionally Complete Meat + Small Carcasses
Food / drink amount
3 / 10
Food cost, grade 1 / 2 / 3
$328 / $457 / $457
Feeders
Dog Ball, Bamboo Feeder, Piñata Pronghorn, Food Tray - Large, Food Tray - Small, Piñata Zebra, Frozen Blood Pumpkin, Rotation Line Feeder
Lifespan
12–20 yr
Mature / prime / old / elderly
3 yr / 5 yr / 8 yr / 12 yr
Gestation / between births
0.3 yr / 0.95 yr
Litter
1–3
Fertility
0.3
Mating system
Promiscuous
Breeds in
All seasons
Dominance
Matriarchal, nepotistic
Ecosystem roles
Scavengers, Predators
Wild population
27,000 - 47,000
Guests flee if it escapes
Yes

Hyenas are social animals that live in 'clans' of related females, immigrant males and their cubs. They have a communal den which as many as 90 spotted hyenas share for sleeping, mating and giving birth. When individuals leave the den to hunt and roam, they spend this time alone or in small groups of 2 to 4. In captivity, adults should be kept in compatible pairs and trios. Although hyenas live in large groups in the wild, they live in a fission-fusion society where they do not spend all their time together and often roam alone or in small groups. They are an aggressive species, so large groups in an enclosed space could result in violent interactions.

Overview

Scientific name
Crocuta crocuta
Class
Mammalia
Conservation status
Least Concern
Biome
Desert, Grassland
Continent
Africa
Content
Base game

More Desert habitat animals 6