Jackal vs Hyena

Jackals and hyenas share African savannas and both scavenge, which is why people confuse them. They are not close relatives. Golden jackals are canids, like dogs and foxes, while hyenas belong to their own family, and the spotted hyena is more closely related to cats, civets, and genets.

The comparison here uses the golden jackal and the spotted hyena, the best-documented species. Other jackals and hyenas differ in size and markings, so treat spots and weights as typical, not universal. Build, coat, and group size are the most reliable clues. Check build and coat before anything else.

Jackal vs Hyena side by side

Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.

When you are looking at which

Jackal (golden)

• The animal is small, about the height of a medium dog, and looks like a lean dog.
• The back is level and the coat is plain gold or yellow with no spots.
• You see a pair or a pair with a couple of young animals together.
• It howls, with paired howls that call the pair together.

Hyena (spotted)

• The animal is big and heavy, with shoulders sitting higher than the hips.
• The coat is sandy with dark spots and the ears are rounded.
• A large group, clan, or den is present.
• You hear whoops or the characteristic laughing call.

How this works

The quiz tallies cues for a jackal versus a hyena and reports the side with more matches. Shoulder height and back line are the most reliable because the two animals do not overlap on them. Answer only what you saw, and use I can't tell for the rest, since one missing cue should not decide the result.

It compares the golden jackal with the spotted hyena. Black-backed and side-striped jackals, and striped and brown hyenas, have different markings, so expect less certainty if your animal is one of those. A tie means your answers were split, so check the shoulder height and back line before deciding.

Where these numbers come from

The figures and defaults on this page are based on:

• Animal Diversity Web: Canis aureus (golden jackal), Jackal size, coat, pairs, diet, howls, and canid family. (checked October 2026)
• Animal Diversity Web: Crocuta crocuta (spotted hyena), Hyena size, sloping back, spots, rounded ears, clans, and laugh. (checked October 2026)
• San Diego Zoo: Spotted Hyena, Hyena family, relation to cats, size, sounds, and diet. (checked October 2026)

Field-identification guide. Wild jackals and hyenas should only be watched from a vehicle or safe distance.