Main Characteristics

Striped Hyenas have a body length of 1.1 m (3.6 ft), a tail length of 20 cms (8 inches) and they weigh between 35 and 40 kgs (77 - 88 lbs). They are grey or pale brown in colour with 5 - 6 dark coloured, vertical stripes on their flanks. They have a mane on their neck and shoulders and a bushy tail.

Their head is rounded and they have a black, pointed muzzle. Their ears are pointed and they are set high on their head. On each foot they have four toes with blunt, non-retractable claws. Their front legs are longer than their hind which gives their back a sloping appearance and they have powerful jaws with strong teeth.

Striped Hyenas have excellent senses of vision, hearing and smell. They are usually silent but will vocalize if excited or threatened. When they feel threatened they are able to erect their mane and the hairs on their back to make themselves appear much larger than they are.

Habitat

Striped Hyenas are found in the open savannahs, grasslands, arid mountainous regions and scrub woodlands of west, north and east Africa and west to south Asia.

They are mainly solitary but sometimes they form small family groups. They are active at night and they spend their days sleeping in a burrow or cave.

Diet

Striped Hyenas mainly feed on carrion but they also catch live prey such as insects, rodents, birds, lizards and rabbits. They will also supplement their diet by eating a variety of fruits.

Breeding

Striped Hyenas breed at any time during the year and after a gestation period of 88 - 92 days, 1 - 5 cubs are born in a den. Between 5 and 9 days old the cubs will open their eyes and at 30 days old they will begin to eat solid food.

The young are weaned at 4 months old and begin to accompany their mother on foraging trips at 6 months old. They reach sexual maturity at 2 - 3 years of age.

Predators

Predators of Striped Hyenas include humans. They are not favoured prey of larger carnivores such as lions and tigers and they tend to keep themselves at a safe distance.

Subspecies

There are 5 subspecies of Striped Hyena:

Hyaena hyaena syriaca - Middle East

Hyaena hyaena sultana - Arabian Peninsula

Hyaena hyaena dubbah - North East Africa

Hyaena hyaena barbara - North West Africa

Hyaena hyaena hyaena - India

Interesting Facts

Striped Hyenas belong to the Hyaenidae family.

Similar Animals

Aardwolf
Brown Hyena
Spotted Hyena