Spotted Hyena (Wild Safari Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)

Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972

Spotted or laughing hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are masterful hunters of the African savannah that kill up to 95% of their food as opposed to scavenging it. They have the largest group sizes and the most complex social behaviour of any member of the order Carnivora. And they are strictly matriarchal, with males being smaller and totally subservient to females. All in all, they’re truly fascinating animals.

The 2007 Wild Safari spotted hyena is a fairly large beast at 10.5 cm long and 6 cm high at the shoulders. It is sculpted in a walking pose with its left front paw raised in mid-step and its head turned to look to the left. The mouth is partly open, exposing the tip of the tongue and the sharp teeth in the lower jaw. Spotted hyenas boast a bite force of around 4500 N, which is part of the reason why they are such successful carnivores; they can crush and consume the bones and hooves of their prey in addition to the skin and flesh!

The hyena’s fur is mainly brownish-yellow in colour with beige for the underbelly and airbrushed dark brown on the face, ears, paws, and tail tip. Black is used for the muzzle, the many small spots, and the claws. The eyes are a very dark brown, the mouth is bright pink, and the teeth are white. No mistaking this for anything but the spotted species.

Determining the gender of a hyena, whether real or plastic, is not easy due to the fact that the female possesses both a pseudo-penis and external fused labia which strongly resemble a male’s penis and testicles; the pseudo-penis can even become erect. The pseudo-penis does, however, retract into the female’s body in a manner kind of like turning a tube sock inside out. As such, I believe that this toy represents a female with her pseudo-penis retracted. It would also make sense given the toy’s size, for female hyenas are about 10% larger than males.

The hyena’s fur looks thick and shaggy, especially on the neck and the short mane running down the back. The limbs are well-muscled and the face, with its huge ears, bulging round eyes, and exposed dentition, looks quite menacing. Spotted hyenas prey on all manner of antelopes in their habitat, from wildebeest and kudu to gazelles and bushbucks. Zebras are also a favourite prey, and occasionally very large game such as buffalos and giraffes will be tackled. The hyena’s worst enemy is, of course, the African lion, and there have been many documented instances of savage and deadly conflicts taking place on the savannahs. Hyenas have the advantage in numbers, but lions are far bigger and stronger and just two mature males can see off six times as many hyenas.

Despite its age, the Wild Safari spotted hyena remains an excellent toy of a marvelous and crucial predator. Definitely worth getting.