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SPECIES PROFILE
Brown Hyena (Parahyaena brunnea)
Parahyaena
IUCN STATUS
Near Threatened
CONSERVATION STATUS
Near Threatened
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Southern Africa
DIET
Carnivorous (scavenger)
HABITAT
Desert, coast and arid savanna
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Hyaenidae
GENUS
Parahyaena
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1.6 m long; 40-45 kg
COLORATION
Shaggy dark brown coat with striped legs and a pale mane
ADAPTATIONS
Superb sense of smell; travels huge distances to scavenge
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Desert, coast and arid savanna
DIET
Carnivorous (scavenger)
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Southern Africa
REPRODUCTION
2-4 cubs raised communally
DIET DETAILS
Carrion, seal pups, fruit and insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Persecution, roadkill
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The rarest hyena, a shaggy desert scavenger that patrols Namibia's seal beaches by night.
2
Clans share a den and all adults help feed the cubs.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Skeleton Coast
Etosha National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
May-September
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look along the Skeleton Coast and desert edges at dusk; brown hyenas scavenge seal colonies at night.
