Mammal

Brown Hyena Sightings

Parahyaena brunnea

Near ThreatenedPredatorSeen in 5 parks

Want to know where and when to find Brown Hyena right now? opspoor tracks live, verified sightings across South Africa's parks.

About the Brown Hyena

The brown hyena is a predominantly nocturnal hyena of southern Africa, especially arid and semi-arid regions. It has long, shaggy brown fur, a dark throat and a prominent mane along the back. Unlike the spotted hyena, it relies heavily on scavenging but also eats small mammals, birds, insects, eggs and fruit. Brown hyenas generally forage alone but live within small social clans and maintain large territories.

How to identify the Brown Hyena

Shaggy, dark brown coat with irregular darker markings, long hair around the neck and shoulders, relatively short hindquarters and a bushy tail. Unlike the spotted hyena, it lacks obvious round spots and has a much shaggier appearance.

Did you know?

Brown hyenas can travel many kilometres during a night’s search for food and may cache excess food for later consumption.

Also known as: Strandwolf, Strandwolf, Bruinhiëna, Hyena

Parks where you can see the Brown Hyena

Recent Brown Hyena sightings

No public sightings here yet — check back soon.

Planning a South Africa safari? opspoor tracks real, verified wildlife sightings like these across the country's parks — logged by people on the ground, not guesswork. It all works with zero signal, too, so a dead zone deep in the bush never costs you a sighting.