Striped hyenas. Interesting facts about the striped hyena

Many hyenas cause ambiguous feelings and are often associated with mean and cowardly animals. This opinion was formed in the minds of people because of the manner of food and appearance of these animals. But few people know that the striped hyena in the Red Book takes place in the lists of those animals, whose numbers are sharply reduced. Therefore, it is worthwhile to learn about what these predators really are, and what are the features that stand out among the other fangs?

Varieties of hyenas

In nature, there are four types of hyenas. These include spotted, brown, striped hyenas and earth wolf.

Usually, the first two species of these predators are known to many, because they make laughing sounds and wander the pack. Striped hyenas, despite the considerable similarities with other species, are still different from them.

Striped hyena size

This species can rightly be called a large predator. The largest individuals can grow up to 90 cm at the withers, and on average their height is about 80 cm. The length of the trunk is approximately 115 cm. Some males can weigh 50-60 kg, females are less than 45 kg, although outwardly they hardly differ. The length of the tail is about 25-35 cm.

Appearance

Outwardly, the body of the hyena seems shortened. Their paws are slightly twisted, although this does not prevent them from being strong. Each foot has four fingers. Also, the front paws are longer than the rear, which adds to the body visual imbalance. The predator has a massive and short neck, and its muzzle is slightly elongated. The lower jaw is heavy. Ears are large and slightly pointed.

On the withers there is a dark mane made of long (about 30 cm) and hard hair, which makes the front part of the beast even higher. When traveling, the striped hyenas seem to be squatting and dragging their butt, which makes them look even more disproportionate. The straight and coarse hair of the animal, not counting the mane, has a length of no more than 7 cm. In the cold season, a soft and dense undercoat grows. Externally from the other members of the family is characterized by strips in color.

The basic color of the coat varies from straw to brownish gray. Muzzle black in almost all individuals. Stripes are usually black.

Despite the fact that striped hyenas have fewer teeth (34) than canine (42), their jaws are considered very powerful, and the fangs are large. They are able to gnaw huge bones.

Lifestyle

Striped hyenas are nocturnal animals and love a solitary life. They do not have clans. In the wild, these predators live up to 12 years, but in the zoo live up to 23.

This species of hyenas prefers to eat carrion of mammals. They can eat even bones of a zebra or gazelle. If you find edible waste, discarded by man, do not disdain them. Their diet can include insects, fish, all kinds of seeds and fruits. Sometimes the hyena attacks birds, rodents or reptiles. Often eats in his lair, which makes the unpleasant smell heard from afar. Also this animal in itself exudes repellent aromas.

Among them are polygamous relations. A male can fertilize several females in a row. Within 90 days the female nurses offspring. In two years, the male hyenas become sexually mature, females one year later.

These hyenas very rarely make sounds. Their voice can be expressed by a grunt, a hoarse wail or a growl. They do not "laugh".

Habitat

In the wild, to meet this predator - a rarity, because they choose hard-to-reach places for their lairs. They also behave with caution. For their settlement they choose clay deserts with small vegetation. They can also give preference to rocky foothills or gorges. At the same time they try to settle near the water, because they constantly need moisture.

Today, the striped hyena lives on most of the Asian territory, in North Africa, in some regions of India. Closer to the eastern side, this species is less common. Also these predators are in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Transcaucasia, although today in these parts a striped hyena becomes quite rare.

Wildlife: Red Book of Endangered Species

Today, many animals are on the list of rare and endangered species. Often, it is caused by ecology, deforestation, lack of food. But this kind of animals in many does not cause pleasant feelings, so they are ruthlessly hunted and very soon the striped hyena can disappear forever. The Red Book of Russia encourages us to think about the fact that people should stop destroying wild nature, even if some of its representatives do not arouse their emotions.

Baby in captivity

On the 9th of April in Krasnodar "Safari Park" a rather rare case happened. Within the park, in captivity, the female striped hyena led the baby. But the mother refused to care about her offspring. A tiny hyena was guarded by the staff of the zoo. A mixture of canine milk was prepared for feeding. The kid was required to take food five times a day. The grown up crumbs were given meat. After the young hyena became stronger, he was released into "free bread".

Interesting information

Each animal stands out with something special and this predator is no exception. Below are some interesting facts about the striped hyena.

• Still not sexually mature hyenas like to regale melons and other cultivated plants, causing damage to agriculture.
• The name "hyena" came from the Greek language, there it was called "hus", which in translation sounds like a "pig".
• The striped hyena is not at all aggressive, so ordinary dogs often attack a poor animal. Hyenas flee from them without attempting to defend themselves.
• This species hunts very rarely, so he has to eat carrion. But it does not matter, since the jaws of the striped hyena are considered the most powerful among mammals, they easily crumble bones that other predators could not eat. The pressure of the jaw is about 50 kg per square centimeter.
• The unattractive appearance and cowardly behavior of the striped hyena influenced the fact that in ancient Greece, many legends and superstitions developed. Previously, the Greeks believed that these animals are able to change the sex.
• If striped hyenas are located near the cemetery, people have to put large stones on the graves, as these "scavengers" can tear the earth to reach the bones.