Africa Adrenaline Adventure

Busy packing for Africa next week. Friends and followers asked me what I was chasing this time round? Well, I've been fascinated by the brown and spotted Hyenas to be honest and they are on the top of my list.

Here are some facts to clear up these misconceptions...There are many misconceptions about hyenas. Not all of them laugh. They aren't just scavengers. They aren't wild dogs. They aren't even related to dogs.

According to the San Diego Zoo...

The spotted hyena is the largest species, and it grows to 4 to 5.9 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) long and 2.5 to 2.6 feet (77 to 81 centimeters) tall from paw to shoulder. They weigh 88 to 190 lbs. (40 to 86 kg). Unlike other species, spotted females are 10 percent heavier than males.

The spotted hyena's coat is sandy, yellowish or gray, according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). It has dark brown or black spots over most of the body.

The Brown hyena.

Brown hyenas are the second largest, ranging from 51 to 63 inches (130 to 160 cm) long and weighing 75 to 160 lbs. (34 to 72.6 kg), according to ADW. Brown hyenas can be distinguished from other hyenas by the long, shaggy hair, which is dark brown or black on the body and tan on the shoulders and neck. Hair on the neck grows to about 12 inches (30.5 cm), in contrast to the short hair on the legs, face and ears. The tail is short and bushy. The forelegs, which are horizontally striped, are much longer and more massively built than the hind legs, giving the brown hyena the appearance of always climbing a hill.

Other factsSpotted hyenas can run up to 37 mph (60 km/h).

Spotted hyenas are known as "laughing hyenas" because they have a distinctive call that sounds like human laughter. It isn't a laugh at all, though. They make this sound when they are excited, but nervous, or when they are submitting to another hyena. Spotted hyenas also make 10 other vocalizations to communicate with their clan.

According to National Geographic.

Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania leave their dead to be consumed by hyenas instead of burying them.

My wish list: Nyala, Bushpigs, African Cat, Various Plains Game, Mountain Reed Buck, and a couple more surprises.