Hyaena prisca

The **European striped hyena** (*Hyaena prisca*), also known as the **giant striped hyena**, is a species of hyena, most closely related to the African striped hyena (*Hyaena hyaena*), that originally lived in Europe during the middle Pleistocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced throughout the modern wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, mountainous regions, and coastal habitats across Europe to help boost biodiversity. The European striped hyena is larger than either African striped hyenas or African brown hyenas (*Parahyaena brunnea*), with its body length being 149 centimeters (59 inches) on average with a range of 140–170 centimeters (55–66 inches). Shoulder height is 80–90 centimeters (31-35 inches) and the tail is 35-45 centimeters (13.8-17.7 inches) long. An average adult male weighs 42.3–45.1 kilograms (93–99 lb), while an average female weighs 39.4–42.1 kg (86–92 lb). European striped hyenas have powerful jaws. Young animals can crack the leg bones of European gazelles (*Gazella borbonica*) within five minutes of birth, though this ability deteriorates with age and dental wear. The skulls of European striped hyenas are larger than those of the African striped hyena, and their dentition is more robust, indicating a less generalized dietary adaptation. It is widespread but relatively rare, and it leads a solitary, largely scavenging and occassionally hunting lifestyle, unlike spotted hyenas and like its cousins; it also prefers coastal regions, similarly to African brown hyenas. It feeds largely on marine mammal carcasses, seals, and seabirds, although it can also feed on bird eggs, small mammals, small-to-medium-sized ungulates, ground birds, and, rarely, pythons. The European striped hyena is a primarily nocturnal animal, which typically only leaves its den at the onset of total darkness, returning before sunrise. European striped hyenas typically live alone or in pairs, though groups of up to seven animals are known in Spain and Portugal. They are generally not territorial animals, with home ranges of different groups often overlapping each other. When marking their territory, European striped hyenas use the paste of their anal pouch (hyena butter) to scent mark grass, stalks, stones, tree trunks and other objects. In aggressive encounters, the black patch near the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae is erected. When fighting, European striped hyenas will bite at the throat and legs, but avoid the mane, which serves as a signalling device. When greeting each other, they lick the mid-back region, sniff each other's noses, extrude their anal pouch or paw each other's throats. The species is not as vocal as the spotted hyena, its vocalisations being limited to a chattering "laugh" and howling. The European striped hyena is monogamous, with the male establishing the den with the female, helping her raise and feed when cubs are born. The European striped hyenas breed in March-April. In captivity, breeding is non-seasonal. Mating can occur at any time of the day, during which the male grips the skin of the female's neck. The gestation period lasts 91–92 days. European striped hyena cubs are born with adult markings, closed eyes and small ears. This is in marked contrast to newborn spotted hyena cubs which are born almost fully developed, though with black, unmarked coats. Their eyes open after 7–8 days, and the cubs leave their dens after one month. Cubs are weaned at the age of 2 months, and are then fed by both parents. By autumn, the cubs are half the size of their parents. In the wild, European striped hyenas can live for 13 years, while in captivity they have been known to reach 24. The conservation status of the European striped hyena is **Vulnerable** due to habitat loss in parts of its range and, historically, persecution. However, thanks to the conservationists, the European striped hyena is a protected species and educational campaigns are being utilized to promote awareness about hyenas and dispel prevailing myths.