New Creature---Hyena

[MurfinMS]

Hi gang.

Another animal I knew really nothing about ________________________________________________________________

Hyena

The Hyena is a strong, stocky, vaguely dog-like species of large carnivore characterized by a massive, broad head, with extremely powerful, robust jaws which, in proportion to its size.

These sturdily-built beasts have heavily built forequarters, high, strong shoulders, long muscular limbs, and sloping backs. The hyena’s short, rough coat is a mottled, often spotted reddish brown to tan. The large, rounded, bear-like ears, as well as its nose and nub of a tail are always black.

Male hyenas are .95-1.3m in length, stand .79-.86m at the shoulders, and can reach weights in excess of 60 kg. Females are larger and more massive than the males, and are

1.3-1.85m in length, stand .84-.9m at the shoulder, and can reach weights in excess of 80 kg.

Hyenas occupy grasslands, woodlands, savannas, dry plains, brush, sub-deserts, forest edges, and mountains to 4,000m elevation throughout Eastern Africa, parts of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.

A female can accept a male for mating several times during the year. A litter of 1-4 cubs (usually 2) is born 4 months later inside the entrance of an unused or abandoned den, burrow, cave, or hollow. The male plays no part in raising the cubs.

Several weeks later, the mother transports the young to a communal den. Since most kills are made far from the den, and hyenas do not bring back food, they will regurgitate it for their young. Cubs begin eating meat at 5 months, and follow their mothers on hunting and scavenging forays at 1 year.

Hyenas are weaned at 1-1½ years.

Female hyenas remain in their clan, while males disperse to join other clans at 2 years.

Hyenas are organized into large, female-dominated territorial groups called clans, made up of related individuals. The communal den is shared by up to 10 females, their dependent and older offspring. It is also where the cubs are raised, but seldom provisioned or guarded by clan members. The den is usually situated on high ground in the center of the clan’s territory; its above-ground entrances being connected by a series of underground tunnels.

Hyenas patrol their territories, and mark them by depositing a strong-smelling secretion along the boundaries.

The high mineral content of the bones hyenas consume make their droppings an easily visible chalky white.

Hyenas are cautious, patient pack hunters that usually hunt at night. However, predation also occurs spontaneously; for example, when a daytime thunderstorm makes the ground slippery and antelope become easier to catch . Hyenas are able to run down large healthy ungulates, or await the right moment to finish off sick or crippled stragglers.

When hyenas do kill prey, it is usually lost to scavenging lions, and the hyenas must wait for the lions to have their fill before reclaiming the kill.

Hyenas routinely take leopard and cheetah kills, as well as racing to the spot where a vulture or condor is coming in for a landing, to hijack the bird’s meal. Hyenas in force are often able to unnerve female and immature lions by advancing noisily shoulder-to-shoulder, though rarely attacking. This tactic is ineffective with large male lions..

The hyena always takes the path requiring the least effort and risk, and may ignore fresh carrion and bones if there is, for example, an abundance of vulnerable live game.

Hyenas are smart enough to avoid large bands of men, but will sometimes attack a lone human. They are familiar with missile weapons, and use available cover to get close to their prey before attacking.

Hyenas consume animals of all types and sizes, including domestic stock, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, carrion, eggs, insects, animal droppings and even other hyenas. Travelers’ tales even indicate instances where pots and pans are fair game. In addition, the powerful jaws and strong digestive tract of the hyena allow it to process and obtain nutrients from mummified carcasses, dried bones and tough skin; even teeth are digested.

While hyenas seldom eat invertebrates, or fruit and other vegetation, they will devour all parts of their prey but the stomach contents and the horn bosses of the biggest antelopes; the hyena regurgitating. A kill’s hair, horns and hooves.

Hyenas can go without water entirely for several days.

When 2 or more hyenas feed on the same carcass, they inevitably begin squabbling; thus unwittingly inviting all pack members (or even lions) within earshot to the feast

Pitched battles between rival clans are likely when kills are made near territorial borders.

Hyenas can be viscous or cowardly.

Hyenas can lope along tirelessly at an ambling walk, at Move 3, and can gallop at Move 16 for several kilometers. Top speed is approximately Move 20.

Hyena

Characteristics Average

STR 3D6+6 16-17 Move 8

CON 2D6+6 13 Hit Points 12

SIZ 2D6+4 11 Fatigue 30

INT 5 5

POW 3D6 10-11

DEX 2D6+6 13

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Hit Location Melee (D20) Missile (D20) Points

RH Leg 01-02 01-02 2/ 3

LH Leg 03-04 03-04 2/ 3

Hind Q 05-07 05-09 2/ 5

Fore Q 08-10 10-14 2/ 5

RF Leg 11-13 15-16 2/ 3

LF Leg 14-16 17-18 2/ 3

Head 17-20 19-20 2/ 4

_________________________________________________

Weapon SR Attack% Damage

Bite 8 40+2 1D8+1+1D4

Notes: After a successful bite, a hyena will hang on and continue biting each Melee round. Roll to determine whether the creature obtains a Critical hit, but it does damage on any roll except 96-00. It will only release its grip if it fumbles or is wounded.

Skills: Dodge 25+6, Track by Scent 25-2, Hide 30+1

Armor: 2-point fur

[Triff]

More creatures for the wiki! :happy:

SGL.