Crocuta is a monotypic genus of hyenas, family Hyaenidae, containing only the spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta, whose range once spanned almost all of Africa and Eurasia but is now restricted to sub-Saharan Africa. It is distinguished from other hyenas by a spotted coat, rounded ears, a less prominent mane and a build described as vaguely bear-like, and is the only placental mammal species in which females have a pseudo-penis and lack an external vaginal opening; it lives in large, strongly matriarchal clans of up to 80 individuals, with females larger than and dominant over males.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Member Count Band Era First Appeared Classification
Living or Extinct Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ10750855, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Crocuta
Taxonomic rank (Wikipedia confirms the entity; rank from slug/structure-wave classification)View the Source 3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Crocuta
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 1
View the Source 4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Crocuta
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Crocuta" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 15.98 ... "early_interval": "Langhian"
View the Source Wikidata: Crocuta
Wikidata Q10750855, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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