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Cheetah vs Spotted hyena

Cheetah vs spotted hyena
Spotted hyena is larger on weight
Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than cheetah on weight — about 1.2×.

A cheetah and a spotted hyena can be compared on 5 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
Cheetah Spotted hyena
Weight 34–72 kg 40–86 kg
Height 0.7–0.9 m 0.7–0.92 m
Length 1.1–1.5 m 0.95–1.6 m
Top speed 93–104 km/h 60 km/h
Typical lifespan 8–17 yr 12–25 yr

What the numbers say

  • Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than cheetah on weight — about 1.2×.
  • Cheetah and spotted hyena are near enough identical on height.
  • Cheetah and spotted hyena are near enough identical on length.
  • Cheetah is 1.7× spotted hyena on top speed.
  • Spotted hyena is 2× cheetah on typical lifespan.

Weight compared.

Spotted hyena 40–86 kg
Cheetah 34–72 kg

Cheetah

The fastest land animal, with a lightweight frame and semi-retractable claws for traction.

Spotted hyena

A social carnivore whose jaws crack bone; females are larger than males and lead the clan.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, cheetah or spotted hyena?
Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than cheetah on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do cheetahs and spotted hyenas compare on height?
Cheetah: 0.7–0.9 m. Spotted hyena: 0.7–0.92 m. Cheetah and spotted hyena are near enough identical on height.
How do cheetahs and spotted hyenas compare on length?
Cheetah: 1.1–1.5 m. Spotted hyena: 0.95–1.6 m. Cheetah and spotted hyena are near enough identical on length.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
  2. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked