( 26 ) 
4 
THE STRIPED HYiENA. 
Hyaena striata. Native names : Lugger Bagha, Lakar Bagh, Laihra , Hondar, 
Hind. ; Renhra, C. I.; Dumulgundu, Tel.; Reddal, Kurku ; Dliopetcha, Gond ; 
Jar ah, Kathiawar; Taras , Deccan. 
habitat.—Throughout India, rare in forests, common in hilly open country. 
Abundant in Central and North-Western India; infrequent in Bengal. It 
haunts rocky hills and deep ravines, lays up in caves, or in holes dug by itself. 
It is nocturnal and usually solitary in its habits. It feeds on carrion and 
has extremely powerful jaws and teeth. Will occasionally sieze sheep, goats 
or dogs. 
Its excreta dries into hard white balls, known as alba grceca , chiefly com¬ 
posed of fragments of bone, and so indestructible that they have been found 
fossilized in caves formerly tenanted by extinct animals. The Hyasna is extremely 
cowardly and rarely attempts to defend itself. It can be tamed, and generally 
has three or four at a litter. 
Description. —-Dirty grey with narrow transverse tawny or blackish stripes on 
body and legs. It has a crest or mane, its hind legs are shorter than the fore, 
are considerably bent, and the hind feet are much smaller than the fore feet. 
Measurements .—Head and body, 3 ft. 6 ins.; tail, 1 ft. 6 ins,; weight, from 
60 to 80 lbs. 
