The spotted hyena, also known as the laughing hyena, is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus Crocuta, native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN on account of its widespread range and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals. The species is, however, experiencing declines outside of protected areas due to habitat loss and poaching. The species may have originated in Asia, and once ranged throughout Europe for at least one million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene. The spotted hyena is the largest known member of the Hyaenidae, and is further physically distinguished from other species by its vaguely bear-like build, its rounded ears, its less prominent mane, its spotted pelt, its more dual purposed dentition, its fewer nipples and the presence of a pseudo-penis in the female. It is the only mammalian species to lack an external vaginal opening. The spotted hyena is a highly successful animal, being the most common large carnivore in Africa.
The spotted hyena is the most social of the Carnivora in that it has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviours. Its social organisation is unlike that of any other carnivore, bearing closer resemblance to that of cercopithecine primates (baboons and macaques) with respect to group-size, hierarchical structure, and frequency of social interaction among both kin and unrelated group-mates. However, the social system of the spotted hyena is openly competitive rather than cooperative, with access to kills, mating opportunities and the time of dispersal for males depending on the ability to dominate other clan-members. Females provide only for their own cubs rather than assist each other, and males display no paternal care. Spotted hyena society is matriarchal; females are larger than males, and dominate them.
Battle vs. Wolf (by MilenHD)[]
In a open plain, during the hot midday time, a herd of buffaloes are grazing the grass land with their little calves near them grazing too or playing with each other. There were little wind and from one of the small hills emerged a alpha male grey wolf, who was followed by his pack members, the wind blew directly towards them and the wolves sniffed prey not far away. The pack have stalked the herd to the open plains, the pack was coming closer to the herd ready to strike. There was an old buffalo, that was going towards the creek, but between the plains and the creek there the hills where the wolves stand. Their prey was coming towards them, without suspecting danger.
The moment the old buffalo got closer, the alpha wolf gave his signal as he howled, and the other pack members attacked the buffalo, surrounding him from all sides. The old ungulate tried to fight the pack hunters but the wolves were biting him from every corner. Every time the buffalo tried to rustle them off, a new canine got attached to him. The buffalo tried to escape by climbing one of the hills, but it was in vein. The pack hunters were biting him and wounding him with every bite, in the end, they knocked him down and the alpha strangled the giant hoofed animal, leading to the pack to get a big feast and a lot of meat. This was a great moment for the wolf pack as all of the group members were feasting after a successful hunt.
Despite all of their efforts, a new task was approaching. Out of nothing a clan of spotted hyenas have sniffed fresh blood, and despite the ravens and the coyotes waiting patiently to get meat from the wolves successful buffalo kill, they were fended off with ease. The hyenas were nothing what the wolves have ever encountered. The hyenas came close near the carcass, too close for comfort. The spotted hyenas were howling trying to intimidate the wolves to leave their kill. As one of the more brave hyenas come way too close and wolves started snarling at him. As the other hyenas decided to approach with the alpha female behind her clan troops. The wolves were having non of it and one of the wolves leapt at the approaching male hyena trying to bite his neck and kill him, but the hyena's though neck protected him, despite getting an wound.
Spotted Hyenas: 
Grey Wolves: 
The hyenas saw that the wolves are not gonna give their kill that easily and attacked. Both groups barked and snarled at each other, the hyenas also tried to chase off the wolves, but the wolves countered by trying to surround the hyenas, as two or three wolves attacked a hyena and began to deal devastating bites to the throat and belly, their numbers game was too effective and ended the hyena's life. Despite all, that the other hyenas leapt at the wolves and both pack fighters emerged in a bloody fight for supremacy. A hyena bit the wolf's back and the canine howled in pain and as the wolf tried to retaliate, the scavenger knocked him and bit his neck crushing with it's powerful jaws.
The wolves again split in two groups trying to chase the hyenas off, and despite the hyenas not being so united, they decided to stay closer to each other and prevent the wolves from driving them off the carcass. As the wolves tried to chase the hyenas and one of the wolves got hold on the hyena's short tail, and the wolves all attacked that specific hyena. Despite others coming to the rescue, the wolves were viciously biting the hyena, but her though neck was protecting her from the bites, despite getting heavily injured, a snatch to the neck with the powerful jaws from her clan mate killed one of the wolves. Despite kinda managing to escape from the two wolves and being severely injured, what she didn't expected was a jumpscare from the alpha wolf, who bit her snout, choking her for good.
As the fight and the chases between both pack fighters continued, the wolves were seeing that they are weaker and less durable in this fight, the wolves started to notice that they need more than a bite to lend a kill. The two wolves who tried to kill the female hyena engaged with the team mates in another attack trying to leap and take down the hyenas. One of the hyenas shook off the wolf fast and bit him, crushing the wolves neck and killing him in the process. Most of the wolves were getting desperate seeing the hyenas are superior fighters. The alpha female hyena snarled at two of the wolves and the one who charged at her met his fate in front of her jaws.
The alpha wolf and two of his wolf pack team mates charged at unsuspecting hyena and with few devastating bites to the neck and the belly, killed the scavenger in brutal fashion. The alpha hyena and the other hyenas started approaching the alpha wolf and his team mates. The wolves reacted fast and signaled with howls to the pack to unite again to fend off the hyenas. As the wolves approached and charged at the hyenas, both packs collided with bites and snarls being hear over the plains. As the alphas of both packs confronted each other the alpha wolf snarled at the alpha hyena, and the alpha hyena snarled at him, but then the alpha wolf was attacked by one of the males of the hyena clan and along with the alpha female killed the alpha wolf with devastating and bone crushing bites.
Seeing their alpha dying, the wolves saw that they are losing the fight and decided to retreat as the hyenas were chasing them off. With the canines out of the way, the hyenas went to the buffalo that the wolves killed after a good fight from the side of the wolves, the hyenas were ready to feast and get there belly full with meat.
Expert's Opinion[]
While the wolves were better pack fighters and hunters, that was their only advantage. The are weaker in offense and defense. They have weaker bite force, their coat despite being though, the spotted hyena's neck in a pure muscle and is capable of withstanding bites and blows from hyenas and other predators. The hyenas were smarter and stronger also and their ace in the sleeve was their devastating jaws. The hyenas also fight lions, leopards, baboons, cheetahs and crocodiles in the African wilderness and can win against them, while the wolves most of the time lose to bears, wolverines and cougars even in packs sometimes. This is why the hyena is a apex predator in Africa, and despite the wolf being apex in Eurasia and America, it still felt short in comparison against the hyena.