Spotted hyena

Genus of mammals (fossil)

Pachycrocuta is an extinct genus of prehistoric hyenas. The largest and most well-researched species is Pachycrocuta brevirostris, colloquially known as the giant short-faced hyena as it stood about 90–100 cm (35–39 in) at the shoulder^[1] and it is estimated to have averaged 110 kg (240 lb) in weight,^[2] approaching the size of a lioness, making it the largest known hyena.

Hyena family tree

Are hyenas dangerous

Hyena habitat

30 facts about hyenas

Hyena weight

Pachycrocuta first appeared during the late Miocene (Messinian, 7.2 to 5.3 million years ago^[3]). By 800,000 years ago, it became locally extinct in Europe, with it surviving in East Asia until at least 500,000 years ago, and possibly later elsewhere in Asia.^[4]

Taxonomy

The first identified fossil of the short-faced hyena was discovered in Le Puy, Auvergne, France, in 1845 by French paleontologist Auguste Aymard.

In 1850, French paleontologist Paul Gervais made it the holotype specimen of a new spe