Hyena Facts

- African wild dogs are commonly mistaken for hyenas.

- Hyenas have an average life span of 12 years and can live up to 25 years in captivity.

- When lions and hyenas clash, the winner is usually the species with the most individuals.

- Spotted hyenas are the largest member of the family Hyaenidae.

- Hyena claws are blunt and non-retractile.

- In ancient Egypt hyenas were domesticated, fattened and eaten.

- The spotted hyena is a very noisy animal. It is also known as the 'laughing hyena'.