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Striped hyena - HYAENA HYAENA
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Hyena": "Hyena" comes from the Greek word "hus," which means "swine." But it is not closely related to the pig, nor to the cat, nor to the dog. It is in a family of its own.
Location: Northern and eastern Africa through Arabia and Asia Minor to India.
Habitat: Arid savanna, thorn bush, and stony desert within 6 miles of wafer.
Description: The hind legs of the striped hyena are heavier and shorter than the forelegs. The head is broad with pointed ears. The color of the coat varies from gray to light brown with vertical black stripes along the length of the body. On the back there is a conspicuous, darker erect crest. The legs also have dark stripes on them. The coat is very long and tends to billow. This animal grows to about four feet long, with another twelve inches for its tail. It can weigh about 125 pounds.
Behavior: This hyena generally forages alone, or in pairs, and is almost completely nocturnal. It moves noiselessly, and may be unnoticed even at close quarters. By day it stays hidden in vegetation or in dens in the cracks among rocks. It feeds on refuse, carrion, and small animals (rodents, birds, reptiles). Some will also prey on domestic animals (sheep, goats, dogs). It has a small territory around the den, but has a large home range - up to 28 square miles.
Reproduction: Breeding occurs at any time of year. Litters of one to five cubs are born after a gestation period of about 90 days.
Note: This has become a rare species due to hunting and habitat destruction. Populations in North Africa and Arabia are in danger of extinction.
Go to the Carnivore Page to learn more about all the meat-eating animals.
Go to the Laughing Hyena for
the only other Hyena listed in America Zoo.
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