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Quick answer
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is a nocturnal scavenger of North and East Africa, the Middle East, and India, smaller and shyer than the spotted hyena. Adults weigh about 40 kg, sport a pointed mane, and are listed Near Threatened as poisoning, roadkill, and declining carrion reduce numbers.
Top questions about the Striped Hyena
Striped Hyena facts at a glance
- Weight 40 kg
- Length 1.2 m
- Top speed 50 km/h
- Lifespan 12 years
| Scientific name | Hyaena hyaena |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore (scavenger) |
| Habitat | Arid scrub, savanna, and rocky hills |
| Lifespan | Around 12 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 40 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 50 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Hyaenidae |
| Genus | Hyaena |
Where it lives
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is native to North and East Africa through the Middle East into India. — recorded across Africa, Asia in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a striped hyena?
An adult striped hyena measures 1.2 m long — about 69% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 40 kg, about 57% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of striped hyenas called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Striped Hyenas is called a clan.
Baby name
A baby Striped Hyena is called a cub.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Mane and sloping back
Bold stripes, a crest that erects when alarmed, and a sloping back characterise the species. They are more solitary and secretive than clan-living spotted hyenas.
Scavenger with an omnivorous edge
Carrion is staple food, supplemented by fruit, insects, and small animals. Powerful jaws crack bones; they often visit rubbish tips near villages.
Africa through India
Arid scrub, savanna, and rocky hills from North and East Africa through the Middle East into India. Across its range it is tied to arid scrub, savanna, and rocky hills, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Near Threatened scavenger
IUCN lists striped hyenas Near Threatened. Poisoned carcasses meant for other carnivores, traffic collisions, and shrinking wild ungulate carrion all bite into populations.
Explore the Striped Hyena
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Striped Hyena
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Near Threatened (NT) means a species does not yet qualify as threatened but is close to it, or likely to become so in the near future without ongoing conservation. It is a watch-list category just below Vulnerable.
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Striped Hyena
How do striped hyenas differ from spotted hyenas?
Striped hyenas are smaller, more solitary, distinctly striped, and less vocally famous for whoops; spotted hyenas live in larger clans.
Do striped hyenas hunt in packs?
They usually forage alone or in pairs and rely heavily on scavenging.
Are striped hyenas dangerous to people?
Attacks are rare; conflict usually involves scavenging near settlements.
Why are striped hyenas Near Threatened?
Poisoning, road mortality, and reduced carrion across a fragmented range.
Where do striped hyenas live?
North and East Africa through the Middle East into India. Native range summary: North and East Africa through the Middle East into India.
What is a group of striped hyenas called?
A group of Striped Hyenas is called a clan.
What is a baby striped hyena called?
A baby Striped Hyena is called a cub.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Striped Hyena:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Near Threatened) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Hyaena hyaena.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Hyaena hyaena. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Hyaena hyaena. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
