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Spotted Hyena

Hyenas are a matriarchal species, which shapes how you manage breeding.

2 min read · Care guide

ScreenshotSpotted Hyena
Spotted Hyena in Planet Zoo 2

Key requirements

Reserve roleScavenger

Habitat set-up

  • A habitat screened from prey species (elephant grass works well as a visual barrier)

Keeper tips

  • You cannot swap the breeding male while cubs are present. put him on contraceptives instead and replace him after the cubs grow.
  • Females care for the cubs, so do not move the mother while cubs are dependent.

Wildlife reserve & release groups

Release groups: mixed group of 1 male + 2 females, a male bachelor herd of 3 males, or breeding partners (1 + 1) with at least 50% genetic diversity and 15% fertility. Hyenas require medium prey (e.g. sable antelope) already living in the reserve.

How release groups work →

Full spotted hyena care guide

2 min read · Updated 2026-11-07

Spotted hyenas are a great mid-game predator. They're active, they breed well, and in the wildlife reserve they fill the scavenger role that the savanna ecosystem needs. The tricky parts are the release rules and the family dynamics, because hyenas are matriarchal and that changes how you manage breeding.

Building the habitat

Hyenas aren't climbers, so the habitat is more about layout than defence:

  • Use a solid barrier with glass panels at viewing points. A sand-coloured barrier suits them nicely.
  • Give them a good shelter and room to roam as a group.
  • Add enrichment from day one. Without it, hyena welfare drops quickly.
  • Put an education board and an animal talk point nearby. Hyenas are misunderstood animals and a great education topic.

Keep them out of sight of prey

If you build a hyena habitat next to antelope, zebras or other prey, the prey get stressed. Plant a strip of elephant grass along the shared fence. It works as a visual screen so the two species can't see each other. I also run a small staff path down the middle between the habitats, which keeps them apart and gives keepers easy access.

Breeding and the family

  • Females run the group and care for the cubs. Don't move the mother while the cubs still need her.
  • You can't swap the breeding male while cubs are present. If you need a new male for genetic diversity, put the current male on contraceptives, wait for the cubs to grow, then swap him.
  • It's easy to end up with too many females. Plan which young animals stay and which go into release groups.

Release groups

Hyenas have three release group types:

Group Members Requirement
Mixed group 1 male + 2 females
Male bachelor herd 3 males
Breeding partners 1 male + 1 female At least 50% genetic diversity and 15% fertility

Siblings and half-siblings usually fail the diversity check (half-siblings showed about 20%). Buy unrelated animals from a different seller if you need a breeding pair.

Hyenas need prey in the reserve first

You can't release hyenas into a reserve until it has medium prey. The Zoopedia lists this under "species role required". Sable antelope count as medium prey. Cape buffalo don't, because they're large prey. So release sable antelope first, then your hyenas.

Health

Hyenas can catch cowpox. It's a low-danger disease, but call a vet urgently when you see the alert. The vet takes the animal to the surgery and treats it. Keep the habitat clean and make sure it's inside a work zone with enough keepers.

Research

Hyena research stays blocked until you've released some into a reserve. After the first release, put a vet back on hyena research to unlock thriving requirements and more education topics.