Percrocuta (SciiFii)

The common false hyena (Percrocuta salvatum) is a species of hyena-like feliform carnivore of the family, Percrocutidae, that originally lived in Eurasia and Africa during the Miocene epoch as an extinct species of Percrocuta and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across Africa and Eurasia to help boost biodiversity. The common false hyena has the maximum length of 1.50 meters (5 feet), making it much bigger than its relatives, but not as large as the greater false hyena. Like the spotted hyena, the common false hyena has a robust skull and powerful jaws. Similar to true hyenas, its hind legs are shorter than the front legs, resulting in a characteristic sloping back. The common false hyenas are primarily, scavengers the bulk of whose diet consists of carcasses killed by larger predators, but they may supplement their diet with rodents, lagomorphs, insects, eggs, fruit and fungi (such as the desert truffle Kalaharituber pfeilii). Common false hyenas have a social hierarchy comparable to that of wolves, with a mated pair and their offspring. They live in clans composed of extended families of four to six individuals. Clans defend their territory, and all members cooperate in raising cubs. Territories are marked by 'pasting', during which the common false hyena deposits secretions from its large anal gland, which is located below the base of the tail and produces a black and white paste, on vegetation and boulders. Common false hyenas maintain a stable clan hierarchy through ritualized aggressive displays and mock fights. A common false hyena male can move up in rank by killing a higher ranking male in confrontation, while the alpha female is usually just the oldest female in the clan. Emigration is common in common false hyena clans, particularly among young males, which will join other groups upon reaching adulthood. The common false hyena does not have a mating season. Female common false hyenas are polyestrous and typically produce their first litter when they are two years old. They mate primarily from May to August. Males and females in the same clan usually do not mate with each other, rather females will mate with nomadic males. Clan males display no resistance to this behavior, and will assist the females in raising their cubs. Females give birth in dens, which are hidden in remote sand dunes far from the territories of true hyenas and lions. The gestation period is around 3 months. Mothers generally produce one litter every 20 months. Usually, only the dominant female breeds, but if two litters are born in the same clan, the mothers will nurse each other's cubs, though favoring their own. Litters usually consist of 1–5 cubs, which weigh 1 kilograms (2.2 lbs) at birth. Unlike spotted hyenas, common false hyenas are born with their eyes closed, and open them after eight days. Cubs are weaned at 12 months and leave their dens after 18 months. Also unlike spotted hyenas, all adult members of the clan will carry food back to the cubs. They are not fully weaned and do not leave the vicinity of their den until they reach 14 months of age. Common false hyenas reach full size at an age of around 30 months and have a life span of about 12 to 15 years. The conservation status of the common false hyena is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the common false hyena's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.