Brown Hyena

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Brown Hyena Conservation status: Lower risk
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Hyaenidae Genus: Parahyaena Species: P. brunnea
Binomial name
Parahyaena brunnea Thunberg, 1820

The brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea, formerly Hyaena brunnea) lives mainly in the Kalahari and Namib deserts of southern Africa. It is smaller than the Spotted Hyena, and unlike its spotted cousin, is largely a scavenger. It is the largest land animal to derive most of its diet from scavenging. Because of the scarcity of food in the desert, the brown hyena supplements its diet with fruit and vegetables.

Also unlike the spotted hyena, the males and females of this species are practically indistinguishable. Their clans are also smaller, ranging between 4 to 15 members. Brown hyenas are commonly killed by people, lions, and spotted hyenas.

[edit] External links

• The Brown Hyena from The Hyaena Specialist Group
• Brown Hyena Fact Sheet
• The Brown Hyena at Lioncrusher's Domain
• The Brown Hyena Research Project
• Fossils of the Brown Hyena