The weight of a hyena varies significantly because the term refers to four separate species within the family Hyaenidae. These species exhibit a massive range in size, from small, insectivorous animals to large, powerful predators. Factors like sex, geographical location, and resource availability also cause substantial weight differences among individuals of the same species.
Species-Specific Weight and Size Differentiation
The largest and most commonly recognized species is the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Adult males typically weigh between 40.5 and 60 kilograms (89 to 132 pounds). Female spotted hyenas are significantly larger and heavier than males, a rare instance of reversed sexual dimorphism among mammals. Females weigh between 44.5 and over 70 kilograms (98 to 154 pounds), with exceptional individuals occasionally reaching up to 90 kilograms (200 pounds).
The Brown Hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) is the second-largest species, though considerably smaller than the Spotted Hyena. This species shows little to no sexual dimorphism in weight, with both males and females averaging around 40.7 kilograms (90 pounds). The typical weight range for adults spans from approximately 34 to 72.6 kilograms (75 to 160 pounds).
The Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is the third species in size, significantly lighter and more slender than the spotted and brown varieties. Adult Striped Hyenas generally fall within a broad weight range of 22 to 55 kilograms (49 to 121 pounds), averaging about 35 kilograms (77 pounds). In this species, males may sometimes be slightly larger than females, reversing the pattern seen in the Spotted Hyena.
The smallest member of the family is the Aardwolf (Proteles cristata), which specializes in eating insects. It weighs only 8 to 12 kilograms (18 to 26.5 pounds). This diminutive size and highly specialized diet place the Aardwolf at the low end of the hyena family’s weight spectrum.
Factors Influencing Body Mass
While species determines the general size, an individual hyena’s body mass is also shaped by its environment and access to nutrition. Geographic location introduces variability in body size. For the Spotted Hyena, research suggests that geographic differences in size are better explained by local ecological conditions rather than classic ecological rules like Bergmann’s Rule, which links colder climates to larger body sizes.
A more direct influence on body mass is the availability of prey and the density of the hyena population itself. In areas where Spotted Hyena density is very high, individuals often exhibit smaller body sizes, reflecting intense competition for food resources. Conversely, greater per capita prey availability correlates with improved survival and reproduction rates, confirming that access to energy-rich food is a primary driver of size.
The high energetic cost of reproduction also influences the greater size of female Spotted Hyenas. Females have a prolonged gestation and an extended period of lactation, demanding a massive energy investment that is among the highest of any mammalian carnivore. This reproductive burden drives natural selection for aggression and larger body size in females, ensuring priority access to kills and a consistent food supply.
Contextualizing Hyena Size
Comparing hyenas to more familiar animals helps visualize their physical scale. The largest hyena, the Spotted Hyena, possesses a robust, muscular build comparable in general mass to a large domestic dog breed, such as a Great Dane or a large German Shepherd. However, the hyena’s unique body proportions, including its massive neck and sloping back, lend it a different silhouette than a typical canine.
At the shoulder, an adult Spotted Hyena stands between 70 and 91.5 centimeters (27.6 to 36.0 inches) tall, a height greater than the average Gray Wolf. Their overall body length, excluding the tail, can measure up to 1.5 meters (5 feet). This combination of height and dense musculature gives the largest hyenas a formidable presence on the savanna.
In stark contrast, the smallest member, the Aardwolf, weighs a maximum of 12 kilograms, roughly the weight of a Beagle. Standing only 40 to 51 centimeters (16 to 20 inches) at the shoulder, the Aardwolf is a delicate, insectivorous specialist whose size is adapted to its niche.