The striped hyena, Scientifically called Hyaena hyaena, is a solitary animal whose range spans from Africa to India. The striped hyena lives in arid, mountainous regions with scrub woodland. It also inhabits open savannah areas with dense grassland in some regions. In Africa, it is outcompeted by the spotted hyena in open areas and is thus relegated to other habitats. Although it is found in a number of countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, the striped hyena remains the least well known and most solitary of the 4 species of hyena. Preferring to be active at night or dusk, during the day it takes refuge under a bush or in the den of a small animal. The striped hyena marks out its territory around its den with secretions from its anal glands, although it doesn’t seem to be very aggressive towards its fellow striped hyenas. It communicates with calls, although they are less varied than those of the spotted hyena, and by straightening the hairs of its mane in order to appear more impressive.
Striped hena range in height between 65-80 cm The average length of the striped hyena from head to tail is one meter. Males and females do not differ in average height or length, but males do tend to be slightly heavier. They are a long-haired hyena with large, pointed ears. The striped hyena can erect the long hair on its mane and appear 38% bigger, which it does when it feels threatened. They are gray to straw-colored with a black muzzle and black stripes on their head, torso, and legs.
Striped hyena tends to feed on small prey but is often satisfied with feeding on the remains of carcasses left by larger predators. Mammalia, Carnivora, or Hyaenidae, avoiding other scavengers who feed first, it is content with meagre amounts of food. Its powerful teeth and jaw with very developed muscles help it to crush even the hardest bones and shells.
Breeding is nonseasonal, beginning at two to three years. One to six cubs are born per litter, after a 88-92 day gestation. No detailed studies of sexual behavior in the striped hyena have been published. Based on observations in captivity, estrus lasts one day, with the female mating several times at 15-25 minute intervals throughout the day. Newborns open their eyes after one week and begin to eat meat at around one month old. Striped hyena have a Lifespan 24 years in captivity while conservation status is near threaten.
