Crocuta crocuta
Fisi madoa (Swahili)

Habitat
Semi-desert areas, savannahs, open woodlands

Conservation status
Least concern

Biology
Spotted hyenas have an undeserved reputation as “cowardly carrion eaters”; in fact, they are successful hunters, killing most of what they eat themselves. They do, however, also scavenge or snatch prey from other carnivores. Their social behaviour is unique and highly complex: they live in groups of related females and immigrant males, dominated by the former.