What caused the extinction of spotted hyenas in Eurasia?

The causes of the species' extinction in Eurasia are still largely unknown. In Western Europe at least, the spotted hyena's extinction coincided with a decline in grasslands 12,500 years ago. Europe experienced a massive loss of lowland habitats favoured by spotted hyenas, and a corresponding increase in mixed woodlands. read more

The spotted hyena is regarded as the second largest carnivore in Africa preceded by the Lion. They have strong jaws and teeth which are well designed for crushing large bones. Their fur varies with age and unlike the striped and brown hyena is shorter and spotted rather than striped. read more

The distribution of the spotted hyena, a carnivore that is common in sub-Saharan Africa, has changed"substantially" from the Pleistocene until the present. Today it is only found in Africa, but during the Pleistocene (almost one million years ago), the spotted hyena also inhabited Eurasia. read more

The spotted hyena is the largest of the three hyena species with large well developed shoulders and powerful forequarters that slope down to relatively undeveloped hindquarters. In comparison to the striped hyena, the spotted hyena has a larger but narrower sagittal crest and for its size it has one of the most powerfully built skulls for a carnivore. read more