Striped Hyena

What is it?

The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is a medium-sized scavenger, known for its distinctive striped coat and famous “laugh.” It is shyer and more solitary than the better-known spotted hyena.

Appearance

• Weight: 22–55 kg (48–121 lbs)
• Length: 85–130 cm (33–51 inches) plus a 25–40 cm (10–16 inch) tail
• Shoulder height: 60–80 cm (24–31 inches)
• Coat: Grayish-brown or beige with distinct black vertical stripes on the body and legs
• Key features:
• Thick, muscular neck and shoulders
• Long, bushy tail
• Large, pointed ears
• A mane of long hair running from the back of the head to the tail (erects when threatened, making it look bigger)

Habitat

Dry, open country:

• Semi-deserts and deserts
• Scrublands and savannas
• Rocky hills and ravines
• Avoids dense forests and high mountains

Where Usually Found?

Found across North and East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

Region	Countries
Africa	Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania
Middle East	Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan
South Asia	India (especially Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh), Nepal

Note: The striped hyena is extinct or extremely rare in many parts of its former range (most of Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus).

Behavior & Diet

• Primarily a scavenger: Eats carcasses of large animals (deer, cattle, camels) left by tigers, leopards, or wolves.
• Not picky: Also eats insects, fruits, melons, eggs, small mammals, reptiles, and even garbage near villages.
• Solitary or in pairs: Unlike spotted hyenas (which live in large clans), striped hyenas live alone or in small family groups (male-female pair with cubs).
• Nocturnal: Sleeps in caves, rock crevices, or thick bushes during the day. Hunts/forages at night.
• Weak hunter: Lacks the speed and power of spotted hyenas. Rarely kills its own prey (only small animals like hares, rodents, birds).

The “Laugh” and Other Sounds

• Giggle/laugh: Usually a sign of excitement or submission (not actual humor).
• Howl: A long, eerie, wailing call used to communicate with other hyenas over long distances.
• Growl and grunt: Warning or aggression.
• “Whoop” sound: A series of short calls repeated every few seconds.

Interesting Facts

1. No laughing matter: Striped hyenas can crush and digest bones, horns, and hooves thanks to incredibly powerful jaws and strong stomach acid.
2. Not a dog or cat: Hyenas are closer to cats than dogs genetically, but belong to their own unique family (Hyaenidae).
3. Folklore and fear: In many cultures (especially South Asia and the Middle East), striped hyenas are believed to be witches, grave-diggers, or shape-shifters. This superstition leads to persecution.
4. Man-eater? Very rare. Unlike spotted hyenas (which have attacked humans in Africa), striped hyenas are shy and avoid people. Only a handful of attacks are recorded, usually involving rabid animals.
5. Digging experts: They dig their own dens or enlarge existing burrows made by porcupines or foxes. A single den may be used for years.
6. “Paste” marking: Hyenas produce a thick, smelly paste from their anal glands and smear it on grass and rocks to mark their territory.
7. Tail language: When threatened, a striped hyena raises its mane and tucks its tail between its legs (submission). When excited, the tail sticks straight up.
8. Good mother: Female gives birth to 2–4 cubs in a hidden den. Cubs are born with eyes open and stripes visible. Mother moves them to a new den every few weeks to avoid predators.

Conservation Status

Near Threatened (IUCN). Population is declining. Estimated 5,000–10,000 remain in the wild.

Major threats:

• Persecution by humans: Poisoned, shot, or trapped because they are seen as dirty, dangerous, or bad luck.
• Habitat loss: Conversion of wild land to farms and cities.
• Roadkill: Killed by vehicles at night.
• Decline of carcasses: As wild prey (gazelles, deer) disappear, hyenas lose their food source.

Range: Extinct from at least 10 countries (most of Europe, Senegal, Israel? – nearly extinct there). Still present but rare in most of Africa and Asia.

Striped vs. Spotted Hyena: Quick Comparison

Feature	Striped Hyena	Spotted Hyena
Stripes	Yes (black stripes on body)	No (spots only)
Social life	Solitary or pairs	Large clans (up to 80)
Hunting skill	Weak scavenger	Powerful pack hunter
“Laugh”	Less common, softer	Loud, famous “giggle”
Range	North/East Africa, Asia	Sub-Saharan Africa only
Size	Smaller	Larger

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