Yes, hyenas are found in India. This article explores their presence, biological characteristics, conservation status, and how they differ from other hyena species.
Hyena Species in India
The only hyena species native to India is the Striped Hyena, scientifically known as Hyaena hyaena. These animals are commonly found in the Terai belt, situated south of the Shivalik range, and across a large portion of Peninsular India. They also inhabit arid and semi-arid landscapes in Western India, including areas of the Deccan plateau, Kachchh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Striped Hyenas are well-adapted to dry environments, but they are rarely seen in regions with high rainfall, such as the Western Ghats and parts of North-Eastern India. Their populations are often fragmented and exist at low densities throughout their Indian range. The species is protected under Schedule III of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Biology and Behavior
The Indian Striped Hyena is a medium-sized carnivore, measuring between 85 to 130 centimeters in head and body length, with a shoulder height ranging from 65 to 80 centimeters. Their weight falls between 25 and 55 kilograms. They possess a distinctive appearance with a grayish-brown coat marked by black vertical stripes on their body, legs, and head. A prominent shaggy mane runs along their back, which they can erect to appear larger when threatened. Their large, pointed ears and powerful jaws are adapted for crushing bones.
These animals are primarily nocturnal, emerging after dark and returning before sunrise. While mostly solitary, they can sometimes be observed in pairs or small family groups. Striped Hyenas are predominantly scavengers, feeding on the carcasses of ungulates left by other predators. They also opportunistically hunt smaller animals such as hares, gazelles, and wild boars, and supplement their diet with fruits and insects. Their presence helps maintain ecosystem cleanliness by consuming carrion.
Striped Hyenas are adaptable, inhabiting diverse environments including dry open scrublands, semi-deserts, open woodlands, and rocky areas. They often establish their lairs in caves, rock fissures, or burrows, sometimes taking over those dug by other animals. They can coexist in human-dominated landscapes, frequently venturing near settlements at night in search of food, particularly livestock carcasses.
Conservation Status
Despite their adaptability, Striped Hyenas face conservation challenges across India. Their populations are declining globally, with an estimated 5,000 to 9,999 individuals remaining worldwide. In India, the population is estimated to be between 1,000 and 3,000 individuals. Major threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, largely due to expanding human settlements.
Human-wildlife conflict is another issue, as hyenas are sometimes subjected to retaliatory killings by local communities due to perceived livestock depredation. Poaching for body parts and road accidents also contribute to their decline. The species is listed as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In India, they receive legal protection under Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Conservation efforts include raising community awareness about their ecological role and establishing protected areas where they can thrive, such as Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Gir National Park.
Distinguishing Indian Hyenas
There are four species within the hyena family (Hyaenidae): the Spotted Hyena, Brown Hyena, Striped Hyena, and Aardwolf. However, only the Striped Hyena is native to India. This often leads to misconceptions, as many people associate the term “hyena” with the Spotted Hyena, which is prevalent in Africa.
The Striped Hyena differs from its African relatives. Spotted Hyenas are larger and highly social, living in complex clans with a matriarchal social structure, and are known for their distinctive “laughing” vocalizations. They are also more active hunters.
In contrast, the Striped Hyena is smaller, more solitary, and less vocal. Its physical appearance, with prominent stripes and a mane, also distinguishes it from the spotted coat of the Spotted Hyena.
The Brown Hyena, found in southern Africa, has shaggy brown fur. The Aardwolf, the smallest of the family, is insectivorous, feeding almost exclusively on termites, and has a more delicate build.