Hyena Cubs Colouring

Say hello to a playful spotted hyena family! Spotted hyenas live across much of sub-Saharan Africa in savannas, grasslands, woodland edges, and even some mountain areas. Their body can be about 95 to 165 centimetres long, and many adults weigh around 40 to 85 kilograms. Females are often larger than males. A wild spotted hyena may live about 12 years, while some can reach 20 years or more in protected care. Their strong front legs and slightly sloping backs make them easy to recognize, and every animal has its own arrangement of spots. Hyenas are clever, social mammals rather than dogs. They live in family groups called clans, which can communicate with whoops, grunts, squeals, and the famous giggle-like call. Their powerful jaws help them eat many parts of a meal, but they are also skilled hunters that can run for long distances. By clearing away remains, hyenas help keep their habitat healthy. Cubs are born in sheltered dens and stay close to the entrance when they are young. They wrestle, chase, and play-bow to practise movements and learn how to behave with other clan members. Mothers feed and protect their cubs for many months. In this friendly scene, one calm adult stands near a rounded den while three cubs play safely outside. The open outline spots provide lots of little shapes to colour. Try golden tan, sandy brown, or soft grey-brown for the coats. Make the spots dark chocolate, charcoal, or even a mixture of browns, but leave a little white space if you want them to look shiny. The muzzles and inner ears can be lighter, and the noses and paw pads can be dark grey. Use beige and ochre for the den bank, green and yellow for the grass, and brown for the rocks. The distant acacia may have a warm trunk and deep green leaves. Begin with a light base colour across each body, then add short fur strokes around the neck and tail. Colour each cub's spots differently so you can tell the siblings apart. You might add a pale blue sky, small dusty footprints, or a few drifting clouds. Keep the faces bright and cheerful to show that this is safe family playtime, not a scary moment.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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