Head to head
Striped Hyena vs Brown Hyena
Striped Hyena
VS Brown Hyena
The striped hyena and brown hyena are both shy, mainly nocturnal scavengers that are Near Threatened, but they differ in coat, range, and how their populations are changing.
| Striped Hyena | Brown Hyena | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hyaena hyaena | Parahyaena brunnea |
| Coat | Pale grey to tawny with dark vertical stripes | Shaggy dark brown with a paler mantle and faint leg stripes |
| Display | Raises a long crest along its back to look larger | Pale mantle over the neck and shoulders |
| Native range | North and East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and South Asia | Southern Africa |
| Habitat | Savanna, desert, and scrub | Desert and savanna |
| Social life | Often alone or in small family groups | Small clans with a communal den |
| Den | Caves, rock crevices, and burrows | A communal den where food is carried back for cubs |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened, decreasing | Near Threatened, stable |
Striped Hyena vs Brown Hyena: common questions
How can you tell a striped hyena from a brown hyena?
The striped hyena has a pale coat with dark vertical stripes and a long crest, while the brown hyena is shaggy and dark brown with a paler mantle over the neck and shoulders.
Which hyena has the wider range?
The striped hyena, which ranges across North and East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and South Asia, while the brown hyena is found only in southern Africa.
Are both the striped hyena and brown hyena scavengers?
Yes, both feed mainly on carrion, supplemented by small animals, insects, and fruit, and both are shy and mainly nocturnal.