Spotted Hyena

The only extant member of the genus Crocuta is the Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also referred to as the laughing hyena, and it is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. The IUCN rates it as being of least concern due to its wide distribution and substantial population, which is thought to number between 27,000 and 47,000 people. Outside of protected areas, however, habitat loss and poaching are causing the species to decline. The species once roamed all of Europe for at least a million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene, and it may have come from Asia.

The spotted hyena is the largest member of the Hyaenidae that is currently known, and it differs from other species physically in that it has a build that is somewhat bear-like, rounded ears, a less prominent mane, a spotted coat, more dual-purposed teeth, fewer nipples, and a pseudo-penis in the female. It is the only mammalian species that have a pseudo-penis in place of an external vaginal opening.