Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

Insufficient data

overall probability at Waterberg Plateau Park

1 Verified records at Waterberg Plateau Park

☀️ 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 →

Closest Relatives at Waterberg Plateau Park

Hyaena brunnea

Proteles cristata

Mungos mungo

Mellivora capensis

Genetta genetta

Helogale parvula

Panthera pardus

Acinonyx jubatus

Otocyon megalotis

Galerella sanguinea

Galerella flavescens

Felis lybica

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

📅 Monthly Probability

📊

Fewer than 5 records of Spotted Hyena at Waterberg Plateau Park — not enough to chart months honestly.

☀️ When They're Spotted

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

☀️Diurnal

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

← Back to Waterberg Plateau Park

Spotted Hyena

Closest Relatives at Waterberg Plateau Park

Brown Hyaena

Aardwolf

Banded Mongoose

Honey Badger

Northern Small-spotted Genet

Common Dwarf Mongoose

Leopard

Cheetah

Bat-eared Fox

Slender Mongoose

Kaokoveld Slender Mongoose

African Wildcat

📅 Monthly Probability

☀️ When They're Spotted

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found