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Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing striped hyenas. Of the four hyena species, striped hyenas have the widest distribution. They occur in northern Africa as well as Asia. They may also occupy parts of southern Europe, however, their populations in these regions are listed as critically endangered to extinct due to habitat destruction, hunting, and run-ins with vehicles.

Like other hyenas, striped hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs, though you might not think that by looking at them! Their front legs are longer than their back legs and they have strong jaws capable of crushing bones. Striped hyenas stand about 28 inches (71cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 60 and 90 pounds (27-41kg) on average with males slightly outweighing females. Aside from weight, striped hyenas don't have external sexual dimorphism. Like aardwolves, striped hyenas have a mane of fur running along their spine. When threatened, they puff this fur up to make them appear nearly twice their actual size!

While all hyenas have a reputation for scavenging, striped hyenas actually do this. Spotted hyenas, the largest of the hyena species, more often take down their own prey, but striped hyenas will happily scavenge what's left behind by larger predators. Hyenas have highly acidic stomachs. They can digest just about anything they eat, even bones! In fact, their stools come out white and chalky due to the bone matter they consume. The things they can't, such as horns, hooves, and fur, are regurgitated. When they aren't scavenging, striped hyenas catch smaller prey like hares, birds, and reptiles. They'll also eat insects and fruit.

Striped hyenas are nocturnal; they do all their foraging at night. These mammals live in open, arid regions where they have access to water. They also congregate around human settlements where they'll scavenge human garbage. They have a reputation for eating children, but other sources indicate they're so shy and non-aggressive they won't even fight back when attacked by domestic dogs. Fascinatingly, hyenas rarely die from rabies!

Striped hyenas are often described as solitary, but they have been observed forming small bands for breeding. These are led by a single female, and up to three males follow her. These all likely sire her children. Striped hyenas have a three month gestation period and babies are born when food is most abundant. They'll leave their birth den within two weeks and start taking solid food by their first month but won't be fully weaned for over a year. By their second year, they're ready to set off on their own.

Striped hyenas live about a decade in the wild and can double that age in captivity. They don't have natural predators but they give larger predators, such as lions, leopards, and even the larger brown and spotted hyenas a wide berth. Unlike their spotted relatives, striped hyenas are mostly silent. They don't laugh and their vocalizations are mostly soft grunts and growls.

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