Hyaena hyaena

Also known as Striped Hyaena

Striped hyenas patrol arid scrublands and rocky deserts under the cover of night, using scent-marking from anal pouches to establish expansive home ranges. Unlike their social spotted cousins, these scavengers forage mostly alone, utilizing acute hearing and a keen sense of smell to locate carrion, small prey, and fallen fruit. When threatened, they raise a dramatic dorsal mane that doubles their apparent size to deter potential rivals and predators.