Hyenas live in a variety of habitats, including savannas , dry plains, and brush. They are territorial, social animals that live in large groups called clans. Hyenas have an average life span of 12 years and can live up to 25 years. There are many subspecies of hyenas, including the spotted hyena, the brown hyena, the striped hyena, and the aardwolf. The scientific name of the hyena is Crocuta crocuta .
Hyenas have a short, rough coat that is mottled, containing brown, tan and red colors.
They have strong shoulders and a sloping back. The nose is black. Male and female hyenas are hard to distinguish because they have similar-looking external reproductive organs. Female hyenas give birth to twins after a 3 to 4 month pregnancy. Although they often kill prey, they are also scavengers, eating dead animals that they find.