Nikao

I just came back from Tanzania, and im just selecting, uploading and organizing my photo's.
While doing so, Im again in doubt about some photos; whether it's an Aardwolf, or striped hyena.
When I spotted it, we (me and our guide) weren't sure as well, and after looking in a book decided that it was a small striped hyena.
But now I look at the pictures again, Im not sure... it doesn't really look like a young animal, and looking up some pictures of aardwolf on Google makes me even more confused.

So... what would you say.. the animal in these pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikao/tags/aardwolf/

aardwolf or young striped hyena?

I spotted it just outside the Olakira camp in Ndutu, at around 4 PM

afrigalah

I read that these species are often confused, though the striped hyena is a much larger animal (four or five times heavier). Just to help kick the thread along, I'll suggest a young hyena, mainly because it seems to have a blunter muzzle than the small pointed one of the aardwolf. But is the hyena big enough to be out and about without its mother?

John

imi

looks like a striped hyena, very difficult to come across. nice one
im

Nikao

for a reference:
this was definately a striped hyena:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikao/3...7594524618438/

(also seen at ndutu)

Calo

I'd say Aardwolf based on the pointed ears - hyena's are much more rounded.

Looking forward to more pictures and your trip report, Nikao!

cybor

here's a picture I dug up;

http://www.lioncrusher.com/images/stripedhyena2.jpg


Although certainly not an expert, the above striped hyena seems to resemble yours in my very humble opinion. Look forward to hearing the outcome.

santharamhari

A very relaxed Striped Hyena....very lucky!!!

cybor

Sorry, don't think you can get into the above posted link that I posted but it does look like a young striped hyena.
The pic. I posted had the same dog like body,similar markings, pointed ears and smaller dark snout. Looks to have a totally different body type from a brown or spotted hyena.

napamatt

Striped Hyena

Calo

Okay, after looking more closely I agree with striped hyena - the black throat patch is there.

PredatorBiologist

It is a striped hyena. The tail is lacking any markings and the aardwolf would have a very visible dark tip of the tail.

Awesome sighting!

Nikao

thanks for all the replys...
I'll add striped hyena as a tag then to these photo's

Leely

Great sighting, Nikao. Looking forward to the rest of the photos and a report.

Welcome home!