The striped hyena is a unique carnivorous mammal found mainly in parts of North Africa and the Middle East. It has a distinctive appearance, featuring a shaggy coat with dark stripes and a sloping back. Unlike its more famous relatives, the spotted hyena, the striped hyena is generally smaller and has a more solitary lifestyle, often scavenging for food rather than hunting in packs. These hyenas are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They play an important role in their ecosystem by helping to clean up carrion and waste. Despite their somewhat fearsome reputation, striped hyenas are shy and tend to avoid human contact whenever possible.