H. hyaena Male Skull Replica measures 9.2 inches. The H. hyaena Male Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Made in USA. Known as Striped Hyena.
The Striped Hyena (H. hyaena) is a species of hyena native to North and East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is the only extant species in the genus Hyaena.
It is listed by the IUCN as near-threatened, as the global population is estimated to be under 10,000 mature individuals which continues to experience deliberate and incidental persecution along with a decrease in its prey base such that it may come close to meeting a continuing decline of 10% over the next three generations.
It is the smallest of the bone-cracking hyenas and retains many primitive viverrid-like characteristics lost in larger species, having a smaller and less specialised skull.
Though primarily a scavenger, they have been known to kill their own prey, and attacks on humans have occurred on rare instances.
They are a monogamous animal, with both males and females assisting one another in raising their cubs. A nocturnal animal, the Striped Hyaena typically only emerges in complete darkness, and is quick to return to its lair before sunrise.
Although it has a habit of feigning death when attacked, it has been known to stand its ground against larger predators in disputes over food.
The skull is entirely typical of the genus, having a very high sagittal crest, a shortened facial region and an inflated frontal bone. The skull of the Striped Hyena differs from that of the brown and spotted hyena by its smaller size and slightly less massive build.
It is nonetheless still powerfully structured and well adapted to anchoring exceptionally strong jaw muscles which give it enough bite-force to splinter a camel’s thigh bone.
Although the dentition is overall smaller than that of the Spotted hyena, the upper molar of the Striped Hyaena is far larger.
They are primarily a scavenger which feeds mainly on ungulate carcasses in different stages of decomposition, fresh bones, cartilages, ligaments and bone marrow.
It crushes long bones into fine particles and swallows them, though sometimes entire bones are eaten whole.
The striped hyena is not a fussy eater, though it has an aversion to vulture flesh. It will occasionally attack and kill any animal it can overcome.
