MyKrugerHoliday
Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source ↗
Brown Hyena
Bruin Hiëna · Parahyaena brunnea
A shaggy, long-haired hyena with a dark brown coat, a paler mane around the neck and pointed ears. Brown hyenas are shy, mostly solitary scavengers that roam huge distances at night searching for carcasses and leftovers. They are rarely seen and far less noisy than spotted hyenas, making any glimpse a real treat for visitors.
Log your Brown Hyena sighting — free →How to identify it
Its long shaggy brown coat, pale neck mane and striped legs distinguish it from the short-haired, spotted hyena.
Look for its tracks
Like spotted hyena — claws show, front bigger than hind — but smaller; on sandy roads at night.
Where to see it in Kruger
Very scarce and nocturnal; the drier northern reaches of the park offer the slim best chance of a sighting.
Did you know
A brown hyena can sniff out a carcass from several kilometres away as it wanders the bush at night.
Often confused with
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