Although found in many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, the striped hyena remains the least known and most solitary of the four species of hyena. Preferring nocturnal or twilight activity, it takes refuge during the day under a bush or in the den of a small animal. Although it sometimes hunts small prey, it prefers to feed on carcasses left behind by larger predators. Avoiding other scavengers that get there first, it is content with meagre food.

The striped hyena marks its territory around its den with secretions from its anal glands, but does not appear to be very aggressive towards other hyenas. It communicates through cries, which are less varied than those of the spotted hyena, and by raising the hairs on its mane to appear more impressive.nte.

She gives birth to one to four young in a burrow dug between rocks. The newborns open their eyes after a week and begin to eat meat at around one month old.

Smaller than the spotted hyena, the striped hyena has a light coat streaked with black stripes that extend down to its legs and an erectile mane that runs from its head to its tail.

Its highly developed jaw muscles and powerful teeth enable it to crush even the hardest bones and shells.

Like all scavengers, although indispensable, the striped hyena has a bad reputation. Because it deposits large quantities of bones at the entrance to its den, it is believed to be a corpse thief, frequenting cemeteries! It is also wrongly thought to attack livestock, which sometimes leads to it being killed by farmers. However, in some villages, the inhabitants tolerate them so that they will eat their rubbish. They thus serve as natural scavengers.

It is often found in African symbolism, depicted being ridden by sorcerers on their way to some magical rendezvous... In Eastern symbolism, it represents betrayal and stupidity. The negative image attributed to it has made the hyena a persecuted and poisoned animal.