Striped Hyena

Category: Environment & Ecology → Mammals → Scavengers

Key Points

  • Scientific name: Hyaena hyaena.

  • The striped hyena is a nocturnal scavenging mammal.

  • It is found across parts of North and East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, including India.

  • It plays an important ecological role by consuming carcasses, helping nutrient recycling and reducing disease risks.

  • In India, it occurs largely in dry and semi-arid landscapes, grasslands, scrub and human-dominated rural areas.

  • Major threats include:

    • Habitat degradation

    • Road kills

    • Decline of natural prey

    • Conflict/persecution

    • Negative cultural perceptions

  • IUCN status: Near Threatened (NT).

Prelims fact: Striped hyena is a scavenger, but it is not exclusively dependent on carrion.