Striped hyena

Striped hyena(Hyaena hyaena)

Phylum —chordata
Class — mammalia
Order — carnivora
Family — hyaenidae

Genus—hyaena

Appearance        

The Striped hyena has a fairly massive, but short torso set on long legs. The hind legs are significantly shorter than the forelimbs, thus causing the back to slope downwards. The legs are relatively thin and weak, with the forelegs being bent at the carpal region. The neck is thick, long and largely immobile, while the head is heavy and massive with a shortened facial region. The eyes are small, while the sharply pointed ears are very large, broad and set high on the head. Like all hyenas, the Striped hyena has bulky pads on its paws, as well as blunt but powerful claws. The tail is short and the terminal hairs do not descend below the Achilles tendon.

Adult weight can range from 22 to 55 kg (49 to 121 lb), averaging at about 35 kg (77 lb). Body length can range from 85 to 130 cm (33 to 51 in), not counting a tail of 25 to 40 cm (9.8 to 15.7 in), and shoulder height is between 60–80 cm (24–31 in).

The winter coat is unusually long and uniform for an animal its size, with a luxuriant mane of tough, long hairs along the back from the occiput to the base of the tail. The coat is generally coarse and bristly, though this varies according to season. In winter, the coat is fairly dense, soft, and has well-developed underfur. The guard hairs are 50–75 mm long on the flanks, 150–225 mm long on the mane and 150 mm on the tail. In summer, the coat is much shorter and coarser, and lacks underfur, though the mane remains large.

In winter, the coat is usually of a dirty-brownish grey or dirty grey color. The hairs of the mane are light grey or white at the base, and black or dark brown at the tips. The muzzle is dark, greyish brown, brownish-grey or black, while the top of the head and cheeks are more lightly colored. The ears are almost black. A large black spot is present on the front of the neck, and is separated from the chin by a light zone. A dark field ascends from the flanks ascending to the rear of the cheeks. The inner and outer surface of the forelegs are covered with small dark spots and transverse stripes. The flanks have four indistinct dark vertical stripes and rows of diffused spots. The outer surface of the thighs has 3–4 distinct vertical or oblique dark bands which merge into transverse stripes in the lower portion of the legs. The tip of the tail is black with white underfur.

Habitat

A native of North and East Africa, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and the Caucasus, Striped hyenas live in open savannas, grasslands, scrub woodlands and arid mountainous regions. Today the species' distribution is patchy in most ranges, thus indicating that it occurs in many isolated populations, particularly in most of west Africa, most of the Sahara, parts of the Middle East, the Caucasus and central Asia.

Behavior

These animals were once thought to live solitary lives, but in fact they live in small groups. They do forage alone, however. When there is plenty of food, a mother may share her den and hunting ranges with her adult daughters. Young females who have not yet reproduced or found their own home range sometimes help with the raising of their mother’s and sisters’ cubs. This species forages at night and is only active during the day if the weather is rainy, cloudy, or stormy. They sleep or rest in large caves, or will sometimes use dense vegetation for cover. Striped hyenas are typically quiet, but will screech loudly or growl and then roar if seriously threatened. They will call to their cubs, responding to their whines by feeding them. They raise their impressive manes when threatened or upset, which makes them appear nearly double the size, to make enemies back off. They are territorial creatures, and scent-mark their territorial boundaries as a warning to their rivals.

Diet

Striped hyenas are omnivorous scavengers and eat mainly carrion and human refuse. They scavenge medium and large-sized mammals, such as wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and impalas. They will eat bones from carcasses after the meat has gone. They will also eat fruit and insects, and will sometimes kill small animals such as rodents, hares, reptiles, and birds.

Reproduction

Striped hyenas are monogamous, and males help females establish their den, raise the young and feed their mate when the cubs are born. Mating seasons vary with the location: in Transcaucasia they breed from January to February, and in southeast Turkmenia they breed from October to November. In captivity they breed at any time. A litter numbers one to four and is born after a gestation period of 90 days. They are raised in dens, caves, or shallow rock hollows. When born they are blind with their ear canals closed. In 7 to 8 days they can open their eyes. After 3 weeks their teeth develop. They are able to eat solid food in a month. Weaning can be any time from 8 weeks until 12 months, while their mother teaches them foraging skills. These animals reach maturity when they are 2-3 years old.

In the wild, Striped hyenas can live for 12 years, while in captivity they have been known to reach 23.

In captivity

If a person decides to have such an exotic animal as a hyena at home, then first you need to take care of security. It is not recommended to get such an animal in an apartment, the best option is a country house. At the same time, it is necessary to build an aviary with strong metal bars. When looking for the location of the enclosure, it is necessary to take into account the habitat of hyenas. They like when it`s cool, but not cold.

Hyenas are easy to contact with humans, but only if they have gained trust. In order for a predator to recognize a person as a friend, you do not need to keep it in the enclosure all the time. Still, this is a wild animal and it needs freedom.

It is recommended to feed it with dry food. Meat should be given very rarely and in small portions. It is worth noting that after eating meat, the animal, even if it is raised at home, instinctively becomes aggressive. As often as possible, the pet should include vegetables and fruits in the diet. They will fill the body with vitamins and minerals, make the hair thicker.

Treat such a pet with affection and love and you will get the same in return.