Spotted Hyena
Spotted HyenaSpotted HyenaSpotted HyenaSpotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
20–30% · Possible
overall probability at Mana Pools National Park
11 Verified records at Mana Pools National Park
March Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus Crocuta, native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN due to its widespread range and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals. The species is, however, experiencing declines outside of protected areas due to habitat loss and poaching. Populations of Crocuta, usually considered a subspecies of Crocuta crocuta, known as cave hyenas, roamed across Eurasia for at least one million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene. The spotted hyena is the largest extant member of the Hyaenidae, and is further physically distinguished from other species by its vaguely bear-like build, rounded ears, less prominent mane, spotted pelt, more dual-purposed dentition, fewer nipples, and pseudo-penis. It is the only placental mammalian species where females have a pseudo-penis and lack an external vaginal opening. Wikipedia →

20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Hyena sighting in Mana Pools National Park, based on 11 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Mana Pools National Park

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

50–60% · Likely
Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

30–40% · Possible
Slender Mongoose

Slender Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Galerella sanguinea

Insufficient data
African Civet
LC

African Civet

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Civettictis civetta

Insufficient data
Banded Mongoose
LC

Banded Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mungos mungo

Insufficient data
Common Dwarf Mongoose
LC

Common Dwarf Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Helogale parvula

Insufficient data
Serval
LC

Serval

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Leptailurus serval

Insufficient data
Honey Badger
LC

Honey Badger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Mellivora capensis

Insufficient data
African Wildcat
LC

African Wildcat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Felis lybica

Insufficient data
Bushy-tailed Mongoose
LC

Bushy-tailed Mongoose

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Bdeogale crassicauda

Insufficient data
Cheetah
VU

Cheetah

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Acinonyx jubatus

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

10–20
Jan
10–20
Feb
50–60
Mar
5–10
Apr
40–50
May
5–10
Jun
40–50
Jul
5–10
Aug
30–40
Sep
20–30
Oct
20–30
Nov
5–10
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
60–70%
2 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
60–70%
3 Aberdare National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
60–70%
4 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
50–60%
5 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
50–60%
6 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
50–60%
7 Etosha National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
50–60%
8 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
50–60%
9 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
40–50%
10 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
40–50%
11 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
40–50%
12 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
40–50%
13 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
30–40%
14 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
30–40%
15 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
30–40%
16 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
30–40%
17 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
20–30%
18 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
20–30%
19 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
20–30%
20 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
20–30%
21 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
20–30%
22 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
10–20%
23 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
10–20%
24 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
10–20%
25 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
10–20%
26 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
10–20%
27 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
10–20%
28 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
10–20%
29 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
5–10%
30 Niokolo-Koba National Park 🇸🇳 Senegal
Insufficient data
31 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
32 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
33 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
Insufficient data
34 Selous Game Reserve 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
35 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
36 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
37 Bale Mountains National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Insufficient data
38 Waterberg Plateau Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
Insufficient data
39 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
40 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
41 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
42 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
Insufficient data
43 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
44 Namib-Naukluft National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Spotted Hyena in Mana Pools National Park?

About 28% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Hyena sighting in Mana Pools National Park, based on 11 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Spotted Hyena in Mana Pools National Park?

March has the highest sighting rate for Spotted Hyena in Mana Pools National Park in our monthly data.

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