Brown Hyaena

Description:

extremely hairy, dark brown with spotted legs and a thick shaggy long tail, The strong head has relatively long pointed ears and a substantial set of jaws. The most noticeable feature, however, is the extremely sloping back and the great difference between the length of the front legs and massive shoulders compared with the diminutive hind quarters - photo 4 was the best I could manage in the half light, sorry about the camera shake but I think it demonstrates the point - the animal is standing not sitting as might be initially assumed.

Habitat:

this is a species of dry savanna but it is relatively common in the farms along the Limpopo of eastern Botswana although it is rarely seen. Unlike some other hyaenas the brown tends to be solitary and quiet so usually its presence is only noted by spoor (footprints) and its distinctive white faeces

Notes:

This individual is a juvenile and less than half the size of a mature adult. Brown hyaenas are normally very shy, nocturnal animals and finding this fellow along a quiet sandy track at dusk was a great privilege, probably its youth made it less cautious because it came right up to the vehicle and sniffed around before trotting off into the bush. Spot 10490439 show the tracks for this individual.