The Spotted Hyena, or Laughing Hyena, (Crocuta crocuta) is the largest and best-known member of the family Hyaenidae. They are moderately large terrestrial carnivores native to Africa. The Greek root ("krokoutas") of its Latin name is used by Pliny the Elder for an unknown animal (possibly hyenas) in Ethiopia; the term is derived from crocus, commonly used in the ancient world as a yellow dye. Literally, it means "the saffron-colored one". They are known for a chirping, birdlike bark that resembles the sound of hysterical human laughter. Though often labeled incorrectly as a scavenger, the spotted hyena is actually a powerful hunter, the majority of its nourishment being derived from live prey. Spotted hyena are the most common predator in sub-saharan Africa, living in savannah, dry woodland and desert habitats.
While Spotted Hyenas have no real predators (besides people), they are on occasion killed by lions, which eat the same foods and will often clash with hyenas over kills. With the development of television cameras that can "see" in the dark, male lions have now been imaged breaking the backs of hyenas. Although lions are much larger, hyenas will defend their kills if possible, and hyena packs have been known to kill lions if they outnumber them significantly.

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This photo is taken in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Tanzania. Original format.