Striped hyena, Description, Physical Characteristics, Distribution, Habitat, Diet, Behavior, Reproduction, Threats, Conservation, Lifespan, and Interesting Facts

 Striped hyena, Description, Habitat, Diet, Behavior, and Reproduction

Description

Striped hyenas are smaller than spotted and brown hyenas and have received the least attention. Their heads are broad, with dark eyes, a thick muzzle, and large, pointed ears. Even though their throat, ears, and muzzle are all black, their coat can be gray, brown, or golden yellow with black stripes on the body and legs. A long mane of hair grows down the back. The sly hyena blends in well with tall, dry grass. The legs of the hyena are the most noticeable feature: the front legs are much longer than the hind legs. This gives hyenas their distinct walk, giving the impression that they are always limping uphill. Hyenas, on the other hand, are fast and can run, trot, and walk with ease.

Physical Characteristics

65-80 cm in height The striped hyena is one meter long from head to tail on average. Males and females have the same average height and length, but males are slightly heavier. They are hyenas with long hair and large, pointed ears. When threatened, the striped hyena can erect the long hair on its mane and appear 38 percent larger. They range in color from gray to straw, with a black muzzle and black stripes on their head, torso, and legs.

Distribution

North and East African, Central Asian, Indian subcontinent, Middle Eastern, and Caucasus native, Striped hyenas inhabit arid to semi-arid open savannas, grasslands, and scrub woodlands. Today, the species distribution is patchy in most ranges, indicating that it exists in many isolated populations, particularly throughout most of West Africa, the Sahara, parts of the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Habitat

The striped hyena can be found in arid, mountainous areas with scrub woodland. It makes its home in rocky hills, ravines, and crevices. In some areas, it also lives in open savannah with dense grassland. In Africa, it is outcompeted in open areas by the spotted hyena and thus relegated to other habitats.

Striped hyenas survive in habitats that are inhospitable to other large predators, such as semideserts, rocky scrublands, and savannas. They avoid true deserts and must be within 6 miles of a water source (10 kilometers). Hyenas' scents mark the boundaries of their territory to ensure privacy. Hyenas patrol their territory at night with sharp vision, and acute hearing (really big ears! ).

Diet

Hyenas have large heads and powerful jaws filled with massive teeth that are used to crush bone. Their strong jaws and teeth are evidence of their carnivorous diet. Although hyenas are primarily scavengers, they are also skilled hunters capable of taking down relatively large prey. Striped hyenas have been known to prey on sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses. Striped hyenas move in a zigzag pattern at a slow trot when foraging. The nutrition of the striped hyena changes depending on the season. The hyena, being a scavenger, consumes mammalian carrion whenever feasible. The hyena's huge jaws allow it to smash and consume bones, teeth, horns, and hooves.

It feeds mostly on carrion and human waste. It feeds on big and medium-sized animals like zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and impalas, and may even eat bones from corpses if the meat has been taken off. It supplements its food with fruit and insects, as well as kills small animals like hares, rats, reptiles, and birds on occasion. The striped hyena forages mostly at night, wandering over its native range in no discernible pattern in quest of food. Traveling speeds are typically 2-4 km/h, with trotting speeds occasionally reaching 8 km/h.

Although wind direction is not utilized to predict movement direction, the striped hyena will respond swiftly to the scent of carrion carried by the wind. It also explores well-known food sources, including waste dumps near human settlements, fruit orchards, and temporary kill sites. Water is used every night if it is available, however, the striped hyena may go for long periods without water and thrive in desert circumstances.

Behavior

The striped hyena is typically thought to be solitary, however, it does have some social organization. It forages alone and is rarely observed in groups. It does, however, form tiny family groupings in the den. Immature family members will assist in feeding younger siblings by returning food to the den. Vocal communication is underdeveloped. It mostly comprises faint growls and other noises made during intraspecific interactions. Territoriality is not a dominant aspect of striped hyena behavior, although it exists.

Dens are frequently utilized for brief periods of time and so seldom need to be protected. However, anal-gland markings and latrines have been seen near feeding places and well-traveled roads in certain areas. The appearance of the anal gland indicates submissiveness in a social meeting. The hyenas begin by smelling their noses, then go on to anogenital sniffing. Immature children show subordination to adults, and one adult will frequently demonstrate to another when they meet, with the second adult reciprocating.

Fighting takes the form of ritualized wrestling contests, with each hyena attempting to grip the other around the cheek region while evading or breaking the other's cheek hold. The competition's loser exhibits submission via anal presentation. Any predator's preferred prey species is not the striped hyena. They stay a safe distance from larger carnivorous creatures like lions and tigers, generally around 50 meters. They may also pursue or keep leopards and cheetahs away from feeding sources. The striped hyena is subordinate to the bigger spotted hyena and will let them steal its food.

Reproduction

Striped hyenas are monogamous, with males assisting females in establishing their lair, raising their offspring, and feeding their spouses after cubs are born. Mating seasons differ according to the location: in Transcaucasia, they mate from January to February, whereas in southeast Turkey, they breed from October to November. A litter of one to four puppies is born following a 90-day gestation period. Cubs grow up in dens, caves, or shallow rock cavities. They are born blind and with their ear canals blocked. They can open their eyes in 7 to 8 days. Their teeth appear after three weeks. They can consume solid food for a month. Weaning can take place at any period between 8 weeks and 12 months, while their mother teaches them foraging skills. When these creatures are 2-3 years old, they achieve maturity.

There have been no extensive studies of sexual behavior in the striped hyena reported. Estrus lasts one day in captivity, with the female mating numerous times at 15-25 minute intervals throughout the day. After her cubs are one month old, the mother delivers food to the den, but she continues to nurse them for another 12 months.

Threats

Humans are one of the most serious dangers to this species, pursuing it with tracking, trapping, and baiting because they believe the animal murders animals, steal graves and kidnap tiny children. They are also frequently poisoned as a result of bait left out for other carnivores, captured in traps placed for other species by fur trappers, and killed in traffic accidents. It was once a very abundant species, but it has now declined throughout most of its range, becoming extinct in many places as a result of the aforementioned threats, as well as a decrease in carrion because the prey of other large carnivores, such as leopards, tigers, and wolves, is also declining in number.

Number of striped hyenas

The Striped Hyena is already extinct in many areas, and its populations are falling across its range. According to the IUCN Red List, the Striped hyena has a total population of 5,000 to 14,000 individuals, with 5,000-10,000 adult animals. This species is currently classified as Near Threatened (NT), and its population is declining.

Conservation

The striped hyena is not violent and normally avoids interaction with other animals. It is poisoned, caught, or shot for allegedly preying on animals or attacking farms. It is misunderstood and seen as harmful or destructive. As the populations of other large predators diminish, so does the food that striped hyenas scavenge.

Nonetheless, hyenas can teach us a lot. They appear to be immune to certain diseases, such as rabies and anthrax. We may be able to uncover human remedies by researching their immune systems.

Lifespan

10 to 12 years; 20 rather than 25 years in zoos.

Interesting Facts

• Striped hyenas have jaws strong enough to crush corpse components left behind by other animals, such as teeth, bones, hooves, and horns. An adult hyena's biting pressure may reach 800 pounds per square inch (which is 50 kilograms per square centimeter).

• Striped hyenas are Lebanon's national animal.

• Striped hyenas may lift their hair to make it appear more than 30% bigger.

• Striped hyenas previously roamed from the United Kingdom to China.

• Female Striped hyenas are domineering over males and hostile toward other females as adults.

• According to Baluch and northern Indian legend, magicians and witches ride Striped hyenas throughout the night.