Brown hyena

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brown hyena
Brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea), Namibia.Template:Photo
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Suborder: Feliformia Family: Hyaenidae Genus: Parahyaena Species: P. brunnea
Binomial name
Parahyaena brunnea Thunberg, 1820

The brown hyena Parahyaena brunnea is the only species within the genus Parahyaena. It has the most restricted range of the members of the family Hyaenidae. Current research is showing that the behaviour of this hyena is extremely variable.

Description

The brown hyena Hyaenidae is 1.3-1.6 m in length, with the tail being between 17 and 30 cm, and stands approximately 80 cm at the shoulder. Adult males weight 47 kg and females 42 kg. Sexual dimorphism favours the males of the species. Brown hyaenas share the typical ‘hyaena’ stature, that being high at the shoulders and lower in the hindquarters. The brown hyena has very shaggy coat of light to dark brown, with mane area typically lighter in colour and the ears are very large and pointed.. The legs are striped, which has recently been found to be diagnostic for distinguishing individuals.

Behaviour

The brown hyena was previously believed to be strictly nocturnal. . Current research on the south west coast of Namibia shows that brown hyaenas are active all hours of the day and night. Females give birth to 2-3 cubs at any time of the year . They live in loose clan systems, which share a fixed home range, but forage alone.

Diet

Not an efficient hunter, in most of its range the brown hyena is primarily a scavenger and forages a wide range of food from vegetables and fruit to reptiles, birds and mammals. The lone exception to this is the populations living on the Namibian coast where they have been observed killing seal pups. They are capable of scavenging from the largest available prey in the region They are known to collect vast quantities of faunal remains in their dens, said collections of bone are a direct reflection of the other species found in the region at the time of collection .

Geographical distribution

The range of brown hyena is limited to areas of Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and south west Angola. At one time their range extended all the way to Table Bay in the Western Cape of South Africa .