---
title: "Jaguar vs spotted hyena — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Jaguar is 1.5× spotted hyena on weight. Compared on 6 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-spotted-hyena/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 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

- [Cheetah vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cheetah-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Cheetah vs jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cheetah-vs-jaguar/)
- [Leopard vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/leopard-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Jaguar vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-lion/)
- [Gray wolf vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gray-wolf-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Cougar vs jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cougar-vs-jaguar/)
- [Jaguar vs leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-leopard/)
- [Cougar vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cougar-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Jaguar vs tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-tiger/)
- [Gray wolf vs jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gray-wolf-vs-jaguar/)
- [Giant panda vs jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giant-panda-vs-jaguar/)

## Sources

- Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (https://www.wikidata.org/) [CC0 1.0]
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)