Where does the striped hyena live?
The striped hyena lives in North and East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It is the true hyena, the only living species in its genus. It is a nocturnal animal: it typically only emerges in complete darkness, and is quick to return to its lair before sunrise. It features prominently in Middle Eastern and Asian folklore.
What does the striped hyena eat?
The striped hyena is primarily a scavenger, though large specimens have been known to kill their own prey. It has a fairly massive but short torso set on long legs. It has a habit of feigning death when attacked, but it has been known to stand its ground against larger predators in disputes over food. It is the smallest of the bone-cracking hyenas, and retains many primitive viverrid-like characteristics lost in larger species.
Is the striped hyena endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Near Threatened. The global population is estimated at under 10,000 mature individuals. It continues to experience deliberate and incidental persecution along with a decrease in its prey base, such that it may come close to meeting a continuing decline of 10% over the next three generations. Attacks on humans have occurred only in rare instances.
