What kind of animal is a hyena? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This is an animal that lives widely from Africa to Asia. However, there are surprisingly many subspecies whose populations are not stable, and the reality is that many hyenas are designated as endangered species, so I will explain this.
What is a hyena? About basic status
Hyena is an animal that belongs to the Carnivora order, Hyenaidae. The body length is 1.3m and the weight is 62-70kg. In kanji, it is a maned dog, and its scientific name is Tamias. Although it looks similar to a dog, it is a member of the civet family. A list of basic information is below. Due to their large bodies, they tend to gather around meat and eat it in their daily lives. It is an animal that has a strong image as a villain.
| Japanese（和名） | ハイエナ |
| English（英名） | hyena |
| scientific name(学名) | Tamias |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Hyaenidae 哺乳綱、食肉目、ハイエナ科 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 1.3m |
| Weight（体重） | 62-70kg |
About classification
The following subspecies of hyena exist: The following is a quote from Wikipedia. Four species exist in nature, and there are not many major differences between them.
Crocuta crocuta
Spotted hyenas are carnivores classified in the genus Spotted Hyena, in the order Carnivora, family Hyena, class Mammalia. It lives on the African continent and its population is stable. Body length: 95-165cm. Tail length 25-36cm. Height: 70-90cm. Weight 40-86kg. It is a nocturnal animal that primarily lives in grasslands.
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is a hyena that belongs to the genus Striped Hyena, family Hyena. Body length 100–120 cm, tail length 25–45 cm, weight 25–55 kg. They live from the African continent to the Middle East, and their population is stable. It is a nocturnal animal that primarily lives in grasslands.
Hyaena (Parahyaena) brunnea
The brown hyena is a carnivorous animal that belongs to the hyena family, genus Striped hyena. Body length: 110-140cm. Tail length 20 – 27cm. Height: 65-88cm. Weight 35 – 50kg. It lives on the African continent, and its population is decreasing, so it is designated as a near-threatened species. It is a nocturnal animal that primarily lives in grasslands.
Proteles cristatus
Aardwolf is also known as Aardwolf. Body length 55–80 cm, tail length 20–30 cm, body height 45–50 cm, weight 8–14 kg. It is a nocturnal animal that primarily lives in grasslands. The fur is gray, yellow-gray, yellow-brown, yellow-white, or reddish-brown, and there are differences from the above types.
About habitat
Hyenas are mainly found in South Africa and other African continents, but can also be found in the Middle East, India, and Nepal.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Hyenas mainly live in savannas and desert areas, and are nocturnal, often resting in holes or crevices between rocks during the day. Bones in their burrows are often an emergency food, and they often survive by eating bones. The tooth row consists of 3 pairs of upper and lower incisors, 1 pair of upper and lower canines, 4 pairs of upper and lower premolars, and 1 pair of upper and lower molars, for a total of 34 teeth. They have the ability to chew up bones that other carnivores leave behind and digest and absorb organic components. The number of toes is 4 on both the front and back legs.
What is your personality like?
Hyenas are highly social animals and live in groups. Perhaps because of this, they are very disciplined creatures. The leader of a hyena group is often a female.
What is the ecology like?
Hyenas often steal prey or scavenge for the carcasses of other animals, but they also hunt. Basically, they hunt in packs, and the success rate of hunting is 60-70%. Their staple food is large mammals such as zebras, insects such as termites, and birds. They breed on average after a 4-month gestation period, giving birth to two offspring at a time. They have a long lifespan of around 20 years, and some have lived up to 40 years in captivity.
Are there any natural enemies?
The hyena’s enemy is the lion. Because lions and hyenas live in overlapping habitats, they often become rivals and compete for prey. If you invade a lion’s territory, you may be preyed upon.
Are hyenas an endangered species?
As explained above, there are subspecies of hyena that are designated as endangered species. The impact of extermination as a pest and predation by dogs is increasing, and some subspecies are even listed in the Washington Convention.
Can hyenas be kept as pets?
Hyenas are not suitable for keeping as pets. This is because it is extremely dangerous as it often causes harm to people and livestock. Therefore, it is not recommended for amateurs.
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