Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is a medium sized, scavenging mammal found in Africa, the Middle East, West India and the Arabian Peninsula.
There are 3 species of hyena, the Striped Hyena, the Spotted Hyena and the Brown Hyena. The smallest hyena in the family hyaenidae is the Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus).
The Aardwolf looks most like the Striped Hyena, however, it is significantly smaller with a more pointed muzzle and sharper ears which are used for listening for harvester termites.
There are 5 subspecies hyena:
Hyaena hyaena syriaca, Middle East
Hyaena hyaena sultana, Arabian Peninsula
Hyaena hyaena dubbah, Northeast Africa
Hyaena hyaena barbara, Northwest Africa
Hyaena hyaena hyaena, India
STRIPED HYENA DESCRIPTION
Male and female Striped Hyenas are very similar in appearance, although males are slightly larger. Striped Hyenas generally measure between 1 – 1.15 metres in length excluding the tail (which measures 12.5 inches), and stand 0.66 – 0.75 metres at the shoulder. Males weigh between 26 – 41 kilograms (57 – 90 pounds) and females weigh 26 – 34 kilograms (57 – 75 pounds). Their coats are generally light grey to beige in colour and they have a black patch on their throat.
Striped Hyenas have vertical stripes on their flanks and black vertical stripes in their legs. Stripes are more prominent in the summer and less defined in the winter. Striped Hyenas, like other Hyena species, have a downward sloping back, a pointed muzzle and pointed ears. Like many animals that inhabit very hot desert climates, their ears radiate heat. When threatened, the mane that extends down the centre of their back can be made erect which makes the hyena appear much larger (38%) and more intimidating to predators. Their tail is long, bushy, covered in long, course hair and is black and white in colour. Each of their paws has four non-retractable, short, blunt claws.
Hyenas have large scent glands on their rears. They have broad heads and very large eyes. The Striped Hyenas hinds legs are shorter and heavier than their back legs.
STRIPED HYENA HABITAT
The Striped Hyena typically inhabits deserts, semi deserts, scrub forests, woodlands, grasslands, acacia bushlands, rocky terrain and tropical savannas. Family groups live in dens which are usually caves with narrow entrances and are concealed with large boulders. Dens can extend over a distance of 4 – 5 metres.
