Free HYENA Coloring Pages & Book for Download (Printable PDF)

Welcome to our collection of free HYENA coloring pages. Click the Hyena pictures or illustrations you like and you’ll be taken to the PDF download and/or print page. Every coloring page is a printable PDF and/or can be downloaded.

More Animals coloring collections: Cheetah Coloring Pages | Deer Coloring Pages | Cow Coloring Pages | Monkey Coloring Pages | Pig Coloring Pages | Lion Coloring Pages | Bunny Coloring Pages | Fox Coloring Pages

Hyenas are among some of nature’s more interesting creatures with a unique look and “laugh” that makes them unmistakable. However, these poor creatures have gotten such a bad rap over the years due to negative depictions in entertainment, such as in the movie “The Lion King.” 

The truth is that these animals are not sinister or evil. They are simply survivors, just like any other creature. Hyenas are pure scavengers and are quite daring. You would have to be if you stole most of your food from lions!

When it comes to coloring hyenas, they have fascinating physical characteristics that can make them excellent subjects. For example, they have tan coats with brownish-red spots, big floppy triangular ears, and faces that look mainly canine yet not quite. 

One thing that makes them so attractive to color is their intelligent eyes. These creatures are super sharp. However, they are often thought of as foolish or dull because of their laughing vocalizations. But, the truth is that many scientists believe Hyena’s intelligence closely mimics that of humans as they have very complex social behaviors. Hyenas have even beaten chimpanzees with it came to experiments involving group or collective problem-solving.

Another fun fact is that they can count! Studies found that spotted hyenas know the number of hyenas that belong to a rival clan and use that information to figure out their strategy. And when new males seek to join a clan, they find those with the least number of males. 

Also, hyenas are among the top ten mammals with the strongest bite. Their bite pressure can reach up to 1,100psi and is capable of cracking and crushing bone. To put that in perspective, Grizzly Bears have a maximum bite pressure of 1,160psi.

With such high bite pressure, not a single part of their food goes to waste. Plus, their heavily concentrated hydrochloric acid can digest bone.

However, one of the things I love most about coloring hyenas is bringing to life their smiling faces and bright, intelligent eyes. There are so many stories one can tell just by their picture alone. 

One could color for realism to capture their true essence, bringing their striking spots and shining intelligent eyes to life. Or, if you prefer, you can go for a more abstract representation with different colors not found in nature, for a more surreal or dreamlike picture. 

Hyenas allow you to indulge your creativity as their seemingly jovial nature can convey happiness and sadness, giving the artist free range to tell many different stories with one single uncolored image. 

For example, using darker colors and shades can create a scary scene full of danger and suspense. Or, with lighter colors and shades, create a warm and joyful scene. 

Another great thing about coloring hyenas is the challenge of coloring their environment, which is usually a similarly colored light brown desert-like landscape. If you wish to make the scene as realistic as possible, you’ll need to use a lot of shades of brown, yellow, black, grey, green, orange, and red.

But, by far, the most challenging part of coloring a realistic hyena is coloring their mottled fur, which ranges from shades of light brown to black, along with dark spots. Younger hyenas have darker fur with spots of a bright brown. 

And, of course, if you’re just coloring cartoon hyenas, you don’t need to worry as much about mixing colors. Most folks tend to use a light-brown or even yellowish color for their coats with black for their spots. But, once again, there are no rules when it comes to self-expression.