Feeding and social behaviour of the striped hyaena (Hyaena vulgaris Desmarest)*

Observations are presented on food, foraging behaviour, ranging and some social behaviour patterns of the striped hyaena; these observations are compared with similar ones on spotted hyaenas. Striped hyaenas are more omnivorous than spotted ones, scavenging a great deal and eating insects, fruits and small vertebrate prey. However, the diets of the two species have several food species in common, and there is competition in the relatively small area where the geographical ranges and habitats of the two hyaenas overlap. Striped hyaenas are solitary, and they show several behavioural adaptations to this. The relationship between the hyaenas' social organization and resource exploitation is discussed.