Ever wonder how humans can individually recognize hyenas? Here's a few tips from the researchers at MSU on what makes individual hyenas unique:
-Male and female hyenas are quite different in size; females being larger and males more on the lanky side. Note the much smaller belly on the male in the first row of photos.
-Hyenas have a wide variety of fur coloration, ranging from blonde, red, to dark brown. Spots can be anywhere from hardly noticeable to dark.
-Once a hyena cub loses it's dark fur and grows into it's spots, the pattern never changes.
-Hyenas often suffer ear injuries due to aggression from others. This damage can range from tiny slits in their ears to huge chunks of missing skin, and it lasts forever.
(Original blog post from MSU)