Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena)

The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is a more slender hyena species compared to other hyena species living in Africa. Its dirty pale yellow-white coat features variable-width dark stripes, making it easily distinguishable by this striped pattern. The mane along its back stands erect during fights or fear like situations, making the animal appear up to 38 percent larger. Body weight ranges from 25 to 45 kilograms. The gestation period lasts 88 to 92 days, and both males and females reach sexual maturity at 800 days of age. Pups weigh approximately 700 grams at birth and are nursed by their mothers for the first four moon; they are weaned at one year of age. Average lifespan is 12 to 15 years, and the species is non-migratory within its range. It is known as the only hyena species found in Türkiye.

Striped Hyena (TÜBİTAK)

Evolutionary History and Taxonomy

The evolutionary origins of the striped hyena may trace back to H. namaquensis, a species that lived in Africa during the Pliocene epoch (5 to 2 million years ago). Fossil records from Africa extend as far as the Middle Pleistocene and are found as common. However, since no fossil records have been found in the Mediterranean region, the species’ expansion into Eurasia likely occurred relatively late, probably after the formation of spotted hyena populations in Asia following the end of the last glacial period. During the Pleistocene, the species was distributed in regions such as Europe, particularly in France, Germany, and Austria’s Hollabrunn, Furninha Cave in Portugal, and the Genista Caves in Gibraltar. Individuals of these Pleistocene populations resembled modern striped hyenas in appearance but were larger in size and are believed to have shared similarities with the brown hyena.

Ecological Distribution and Habitat

The striped hyena has a wide distribution across North and East Africa, the Middle East, Caucasus, Central Asia, India, and southern Siberia. In Türkiye, it is found in the southern Marmara region, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, Southeastern Anatolia, and Eastern Anatolia. Records exist from Çanakkale, Bursa, Balıkesir, Kütahya, Afyon, İzmir, Denizli, Aydın, Muğla, Antalya, Burdur, Mersin, Adana, Niğde, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Adıyaman, Batman, Siirt, Şırnak, and Hakkari. However, it has not been observed in Kütahya and Afyon for some time. It typically den in arid (semi-desert) areas, steep cliffs, sparsely wooded slopes, crevices, gullies, and deep valleys. It also inhabits areas with shrubland and forest cover as well as mountainous terrain.

Striped Hyena (TÜBİTAK)

Population and Conservation Status

The striped hyena is classified as Near Threatened (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), and its global population is declining. The total population is estimated to range between 5,000 and 14,000 individuals. In Türkiye, it is very rarely observed and is protected from hunting due to its endangered status.

Behavior and Ethology

The striped hyena is a skilled climber and is difficult to detect from a distance in rocky terrain. It is a highly elusive species that prefers to flee when encountering humans and poses no threat to people unless approached. It generally moves alone but may form small social groups near denning areas. Occasional observations of group movement have been recorded. When encountering other large felids or predators such as the spotted hyena, it avoids competition for food and retreats rather than engaging in conflict, and it does not exhibit strong territorial defense of its range.

Striped Hyena (TÜBİTAK)

Diet and Metabolism

The striped hyena has an omnivorous diet. It feeds on carrion, weak or injured animals it can catch, and small mammals. It also consumes fruits such as watermelon, watermelon, and grape, as well as wild berries. When hungry, it may approach human settlements and attack domestic animals. In Türkiye, it is known to visit carcasses left in forested areas during Sacrifice Bayramı.

Human Interactions and Cultural References

In Türkiye, its presence is unknown to many people, and population decline is influenced by traffic accidents, habitat destruction, and direct killing by humans. It is known by various local names across the country, including “Andık”, “Yeleli Wolf”, “Aftar”, “Aptar”, “Heftar”, “Alacanavar”, “Öcü”, and “Dab’a”. In Anatolia, it is commonly referred to as the “Anatolian hyena” and leads a life distant from human settlements.

Etymology

The striped hyena derives its name from the prominent stripes on its coat. In Turkish, it is called “Çizgili Sırtlan”, and in English, it is known as the “Striped Hyena”. In Türkiye, due to its presence in Anatolia, it is also called the “Anatolian hyena”. This naming is based on its most distinctive physical feature.