Striped hyenas have broad heads with large eyes, thick set muzzles, and large, pointed ears. Powerful jaws and strong cheek teeth indicate their primarily carnivorous diet.
Hind legs are shorter and heavier than their forelegs.
The smallest hyena is the aardwolf, an insectivore. Male and female hyenas look alike. Males are slightly larger in the striped and brown species Females are larger in the spotted species. The striped hyena's coat color varies from gray to light brown with vertical black stripes along the length of the body and dark, striped legs. Along their backs are darker, erectile crests.