Learn about Striped Hyena

Image by Chandra Sekhar, Unsplash

Introduction of Striped Hyena

Hyenas are not related to either the canine or the cat families.
Even though they appear to be dogs, they are more closely related to cats when it comes to evaluation.
Interestingly enough, hyenas are so distinct that they have their own family, the Hyaenidae.
They are frequently referred to as "jungle cleaners" because of their scavenger food habits.
Striped Hyenas can be found in Morocco, Egypt, Arab countries, and India, among some other places.
They are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and are active at night.
The Striped Hyena prefers to live in arid, mountainous areas with scrub woods. They also live in an open savannah with dense grassland, which is a rarity for them.
A water source near of their habitat is preferred by these animals.
Four different types of hyenas exist today.
Striped Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Brown Hyena, and Aardwolf (or Earth-Wolf, they are actually hyenas found in Eastern Africa).
Spotted hyenas, also known as laughing hyenas, are the largest of their cousins and are found in Africa.
Hyenas are extremely well-sighted and hear extremely well. The scientific community is divided on their sense of smell.
Hyenas are listed as "Near Threatened" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list.

In terms of weight, male Striped Hyenas range between 26 and 41 kg, while female Striped Hyenas range between 26 and 34 kg.
In general, they measure between 40 and 45 inches in length, with a tail that measures between 12 and 18 inches in length.
They can reach a height of 20 to 30 inches at the shoulder when standing.
Hyenas have the ability to make themselves appear 30 percent larger by raising their fur to scare away their enemies.
Hyenas have a large skull and powerful jaw mussels, which allows them to crash hard bones.
They have one of the most powerful jaw forces of any mammal on the planet.
Their colour is pale grey, with a black throat fur and stripes on the body and legs.
Their heads are broad, with dark eyes and a thick muzzle, and they have a huge smiles. Unlike other animals, their ears are large and pointed.
Their front legs are significantly longer than their back legs, resulting in a looping gait that allows them to conserve energy while travelling long distances.

Striped Hyenas are solitary animals and monogamous creatures.
This species has a gestational period of three months.
Litters of 1 to 6 cubs can be born during any time of the year, regardless of the season.
Puppies are completely defenceless when they are born, and they are unable to even crawl.
At birth, they are born with their eyes closed and do not open them until they are one week old.
Puppies are completely reliant on milk for the first month or so, after which they gradually begin to consume flesh.
Mother hyenas remain in the den to nurse their cubs until they are weaned. The father leaves the den in search of food and returns with it to the den.
Babies are cared for by their mothers for almost a year after they are born.
In the wild, the average life expectancy is 12 years. In captivity, they can live for up to 20 years at a time.

Striped Hyenas do not mark their territory with urine; instead, they have an anal scent gland that they use to define their territory.
In addition to having its distinct scent, each hyena marks its territory with that gland secretion, which is referred to as Hyena Butter.
In general, Striped Hyenas are quiet and can move around without making any noise.
They make sounds like a human laugh, and it is distinct from other animals' vocalisation.
They makes this vocalisation when hyenas are threatened, under attack, frustrated, or attempting to communicate information.
Striped Hyenas are typically solitary animals, but they have been observed in small groups of 5 to 7 individuals.
They troll relentlessly in search of food sources.
They're bodies, designed specifically for long-distance running.
Their large heads make it easier for them to carry heavy loads of food.

Striped Hyenas are known to prey on insects, fruits, and small vertebrates in their natural environment.
Striped hyenas are primarily scavengers, and they consume virtually everything. They even consume the decaying flesh of other animals.
The high concentration of hydrochloric acid in their stomachs helps them digest carcasses and rotten foods.
Striped Hyenas are sometimes hunts small animals as well.
They also come to human settlements in search of food scraps to feed their young.
There are records of attacks and the killing of livestock on occasion.