The Spotte Hyena, or Laughing Hyena, (Crocuta crocuta) is a carnivorous mammal of the family hyaenidae. It is the largest of the hyenas, and is native to sub-Saharan Africa, save for the Congo basin. It occurs in many different habitats, from extremely hot and arid lowland areas in it's northern and southern ranges, to cold, mountainous terrains in East Africa and Ethiopia. The species can also survive near human habitations.