The striped hyena is an interesting and much less documented member of the hyena family. These hyenas are characterized by broad heads, dark eyes, powerful noses, and ears that are big and pointy. Their coat varies from gold-yellow to brown or gray, with bold black stripes across the body down to their legs. Their muzzle, ears, and throat are marked with black, and they have a dramatic mane of long hair running along their back that they can raise when threatened to make themselves appear larger. Slightly smaller than the more prominent spotted and brown hyenas, striped hyenas are often passed over in research.
Social Structure
Once thought to be solitary animals, striped hyenas are now known to have a more social nature, their small groups being common. However, they forage separately. A mother and her adult daughters often share a den and hunting territory when food is plentiful. Subordinate young females, those who have not yet established their territory or have not bred, often help raise cubs in their mother’s or sister’s litter, an altruistic behavior.
Communication
The striped hyenas communicate little with each other, but effectively: usually silent, they could scream – growling or even roaring in the case of attack. Their mothers call cubs and feed them after their cries. Perhaps one of the most notable defense behaviors was raising a thick mane, which allowed appearing almost as big as in real size and hence protected from predators. They also scent-mark the boundaries of their territory, a warning to rivals.
Behavior
Nocturnal by nature, striped hyenas are active foragers that emerge after dark, especially in wet, overcast, or stormy conditions. They retire during daylight to rest and hide in large caves or dense vegetation. Their diet is mainly from scavenged carrion, but they also hunt small to medium-sized animals. They are opportunistic feeders, their diet ranging from insects to fruits, and even human waste, when available.
Conservation
Striped hyenas, especially outside of protected areas, face many hardships as habitat degradation has placed them at risk due in large part to human endeavors. While the IUCN classifies them as “low risk,” many are poisoned by humans, which also puts their populations in jeopardy.
Due to their low density and vast amount of habitat, striped hyenas are difficult to study. An estimate of 2,450-7,850 individuals in Africa could mean that almost half of the global population is found on the continent, while over 1,000 have been recorded as being present in Kenya alone, making it one of the best places to observe the species in the wild. For a chance to see these elusive creatures, consider visiting one of Kenya’s private concessions, which offer night drives to spot striped hyenas in their natural habitat.
Striped hyenas are remarkable animals, playing a vital role in their ecosystems as scavengers and maintaining a delicate balance in the food chain. Understanding and conserving these unique creatures is crucial for preserving biodiversity in their habitats.
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