Hey ya'll! So I was running on Sat. night on the running trail and I saw a dog along the trail. On base…there aren’t supposed to be any animals, of course. And any animals they do find are sick – none of these animals have ever been vaccinated or anything. Most are rabid. So anyway, I see this thing. I have never seen a dog INSIDE the fence on the running trail until that moment. So I was thinking, how do I call Vector/Pest Control from the trail? I don’t carry my cell phone with me when I am running. But on the trail we have emergency call boxes. So I figured – I’ll try that. I hit the button…and someone comes across saying something I can’t understand. So I tell them “This is NOT an emergency. Please contact Vector Control and let them know there is a dog on the running trail.” Again, something I can’t understand comes back across the speaker on the call box. So I repeat my statement…”This is NOT an emergency. Please don’t send the Fire Department. Please contact Vector Control and let them know there is a dog on the running trail.” AGAIN something I can’t understand…but the emergency flashing light turned off…so I am thinking, maybe they got it. So I wait…and of course within minutes I see the lights from the Fire Engine and Ambulance headed my way. And closely followed by Navy Security. I flag them down and let them know I am the one who called. And that there is NO emergency and that I am really sorry. So they ask me what I called for, I tell them about the dog and they proceed to make fun of me for being scared of a silly little dog and I have to call the fire department to come and save me! LMAO! HA HA Anyway – good thing I know those guys! But I know I will never live this down. The teasing is unstoppable at this point!
And when I saw Herman from Vector Control today I asked him about it…the report he got was I called in about a herd of dogs on the running trail! Good grief!
But when I saw this report….imagine if I ran into this on the running trail instead? Good grief! And they won’t let me carry my own gun here! Jeesh!
Enjoy your brief on Striped Hyenas and the photo of the one in the back of our Vector truck this morning. Next up, I am thinking it's time I actually see a snake! YIKES! Or how about just some sharks on my night dive this week? That'll do...
Y'all take care! Cheers!
Ciao!
Name: Striped hyena
Latin name:
Hyaena hyaena Appearance:
Striped hyenas weigh from 57 to 90 pounds (26-41 kg). Length is about 4 to 5 feet (1.2-1.45m) from head to tail, and they stand about 2.2 to 2.5 feet (66-75cm) tall at the shoulder. There is not much difference between the sizes of the male and female.
A large, powerful animal, the striped hyena is covered in pale tan to greyish fur, which is usually quite shaggy. Black stripes slide down its sides in a vertical arrangement, and the muzzle/face is usually dark with a black throat patch on the underside of the neck. From the nape of its neck down to the rump, the back is covered by a thick, erectile mane. This mane can be raised to make the hyena look quite large, and is used in displays against other striped hyenas. Striped hyenas frequently grab and shake each other by the neck in mock fighting rituals. The legs are long and also striped, while the body and neck are thick and heavy-set. The tail is fluffy and reaches the hocks. Habitat:
From Morocco and Senegal to Tanzania, across Asia Mino, the Arabian Peninsula, all the way to eastern India. Striped hyenas inhabit open country, as well as the forests of India and the seashore, scavenging on dead animals which wash up from the sea. The hyenas are mainly active at night, resting by day under protruding rocks. Prey includes mammalian carrion, as well as the goats, sheep, donkeys, and horses of northern herdsmen, which tends to bring the hyenas into conflict with humans. They will also eat insects, small animals such as mice, and fruit. Indeed, they often raid melon patches in Israel, bringing them into conflict with farmers. Reproduction:
Females tend to come into sexual maturity at about 2-3 years, though pregnant females of only 15 months have been reported in the wild. The estrous cycle is about 45-50 days long, though the female is only fertile for one day during that time. Females can come into heat at any time of the year. Once the female has mated, gestation of the young takes about 88-92 days, and anywhere from 1-5 young are born, though usually there are only 2 cubs. Cubs open their eyes from 5-9 days after birth and start eating solid meat at 30 days, though they will continue to nurse for 4-5 months. Adults will bring food home to the den, which is usually in a crevice between rocks or in a hole dug by the parents. Threats in the Wild:
they are often poisoned and trapped for preying on livestock or raiding farms. Some of their body parts are also believed to have medicinal value. Striped hyenas have also become endangered through habitat loss.
While the striped hyena has no natural predators, it does often come into conflict with humans. Striped hyenas have been known to kill humans, especially children, and Resources:
Macdonald, David M. (2001) The Encyclopedia of Mammals, Barnes and Noble Books, New York Nowak, Ronald M. (1999) Walker's Mammals of the World, Volume 1, Sixth Edition, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London 
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