Striped hyena | |
---|---|
Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Unrecognized taxon (fix): | Hyaeninae |
Genus: | Hyaena |
Species: | H. hyaena |
Binomial name | |
Hyaena hyaena | |
Striped hyena range | |
Synonyms | |
List |
The striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) is a widespread small carnivore. It is native to North and East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It is listed by the IUCN as near threatened, and the global population may be under 10,000 mature individuals. It is persecuted, and its prey base is declining.
It is the smallest of its genus and has many primitive viverrid characteristics which are lost in the larger species. For example, it has a smaller and less specialised skull.