The spotted hyena is native to Africa and is the country's most common large carnivore. The spotted hyena is the largest of the three hyena species. Hyenas are commonly mistaken for scavengers as they often steal food from larger carnivores such as lions. In reality, hyenas are carnivores as a majority of their diets come from direct kills. Hyenas are extremely territorial and claim their territory by secreting a strong-smelling liquid from their anal glands. The species is also great at communicating and using their howls (that can be heard from 3 miles away) to notify the rest of their clan about a discovered food source. (African Wildlife Foundation)

Spotted hyenas are often mistaken for scavengers because of their behavior to steal dead prey from larger carnivores. However, 70% of their food comes from direct kills making them one of Africa's largest carnivores. They do rely on scavenging for smaller sources of energy but a bulk of their diet comes from direct kills. Hyenas are discontinuous feeders as they can rely on large meals to be stored for later digestion. Adult hyenas can consume up to 32 pounds of meat in one meal which they depend on to provide them with energy for long periods of time. (National Geographic)

Spotted hyenas have the strongest jaws of any mammal in relation to their size. This allows them to easily tear apart their prey and quickly consume entire carcasses. Moreover, hyenas have very powerful digestive systems with highly acidic fluids that makes it possible for the species to consume skin and bones. The only thing that hyenas can not fully digest is hair, horns, and hooves. Hyenas are monogastric feeders as they only have one stomach to digest food and are also hindgut fermenters. Hyenas rely heavily on their powerful jaws and large stomachs to consume large amounts of food at once that they can depend on for energy for extended periods of time. (San Diego Zoo)