Brown hyena: Difference between revisions

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#REDIRECT [[Brown hyaena]]
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Brown hyaena
| image = Brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea) heading toward seal colony, namibia.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Brown hyaena (''Parahyaena brunnea''), [[Namibia]].{{photo|Brian F Kuhn}}
| status =  LR/nt
| status_system = iucn2.3
| status_ref = <ref>[http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/10276/all]</ref>
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Carnivora]]
| subordo = [[Feliformia]]
| familia = [[Hyaenidae]]
| genus = '''''Parahyaena'''''
| species = '''''P. brunnea'''''
| binomial = ''Parahyaena brunnea''
| binomial_authority = [[Thunberg]], 1820
}}
 
The '''brown hyaena''' ''Parahyaena brunnea'' is the only species within the genus '''''Parahyaena'''''. It has the most restricted range of the members of the [[biological family|family]] [[Hyaenidae]]. Current research is showing that the behaviour of this hyaena is extremely variable.
 
==Description==
 
The brown hyaena [[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. <ref name="Stuart">{{cite book|title=Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa=|author=C. Stuart and T. Stuart|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1997 |format= |work= |publisher=Struik publishers|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> <ref name="Skinner">{{cite book|title=The mammals of the southern african subregion=|author=J. Skinner and C. Chimimba|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2005 |format= |work=third edition|publisher=Cambridge Univeristy Presspages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> 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 hyaena 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. <ref name="Wiesel">{{personnal communication, 2005}}</ref>
 
==Behaviour==
 
The brown hyaena was previously believed to be strictly nocturnal. <ref name=Stuart/> <ref name=Skinner/>. Current research on the south west coast of Namibia shows that brown hyaenas are active all hours of the day and night. <ref name=Wiesel/> Females give birth to 2-3 cubs at any time of the year <ref name=Stuart/>. 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 hyaena 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 <ref name=Kuhn>{{cite Thesis|title=The collecting behaviour and taphonomic signatures of hyaenids=|author=B. Kuhn|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006 |format= |work= |publisher=Unpublished|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> 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 <ref name=Kuhn/>.
 
==Geographical distribution==
 
The range of brown hyaena 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 <ref name=Skinner/>.
 
==References==
{{reflist}}

Latest revision as of 02:13, 30 January 2008

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