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Jaguar vs Spotted hyena

Jaguar vs spotted hyena
Jaguar is larger on weight
Jaguar is 1.5× spotted hyena on weight.

A jaguar and a spotted hyena can be compared on 6 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.
Jaguar Spotted hyena
Weight 45–120 kg 40–86 kg
Height 0.63–0.8 m 0.7–0.92 m
Length 1.1–1.9 m 0.95–1.6 m
Top speed 80 km/h 60 km/h
Typical lifespan 11–22 yr 12–25 yr
Bite force 1,500 psi 1,100 psi

What the numbers say

  • Jaguar is 1.5× spotted hyena on weight.
  • Jaguar and spotted hyena are near enough identical on height.
  • Jaguar is somewhat greater than spotted hyena on length — about 1.3×.
  • Jaguar is somewhat greater than spotted hyena on top speed — about 1.3×.
  • Spotted hyena is 1.7× jaguar on typical lifespan.
  • Jaguar is somewhat greater than spotted hyena on bite force — about 1.4×.

Weight compared.

Jaguar 45–120 kg
Spotted hyena 40–86 kg

Jaguar

The largest cat in the Americas, built stocky and known for killing by biting through the skull.

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, jaguar or spotted hyena?
Jaguar is 1.5× spotted hyena on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do jaguars and spotted hyenas compare on height?
Jaguar: 0.63–0.8 m. Spotted hyena: 0.7–0.92 m. Jaguar and spotted hyena are near enough identical on height.
How do jaguars and spotted hyenas compare on length?
Jaguar: 1.1–1.9 m. Spotted hyena: 0.95–1.6 m. Jaguar is somewhat greater than spotted hyena on length — about 1.3×.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
  2. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution
  3. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked