Engraving of a spotted hyena. It is notable as being the first authentic representation of the species
Date 1793 (3rd ed.)
Source History of quadrupeds
Author Thomas Pennant, 1726-1798
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Synopsis_Quadrupeds_crocuta.png

The spotted hyena or laughing hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a species of hyena, currently classed as the sole member of the genus Crocuta, native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Its current distribution is patchy in many places, especially in West Africa. There is a continuous distribution over large areas of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and the Transvaal Lowveld areas of South Africa.