Hyena
This article is about the family of animals. For other uses, see Hyena (disambiguation).
Hyenas or hyaenas (from Greek ὕαινα hýaina[1]) are the animals of the family Hyaenidae of the feliform suborder of the Carnivora. With only four extant species, it is the fifth-smallest biological family in the Carnivora, and one of the smallest in the class Mammalia.[2] Despite their low diversity, hyenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems.[3]
Although phylogenetically they are closer to felines and viverrids, hyenas are behaviourally and morphologically similar to canines in several aspects; both hyenas and canines are nonarboreal, cursorial hunters that catch prey with their teeth rather than claws. (In fact, cheetah have been known to climb trees to escape hyenas.[4]) Both eat food quickly and may store it, and their calloused feet with large, blunt, nonretractable nails are adapted for running and making sharp turns. However, the hyenas' grooming, scent marking, defecating habits, mating, and parental behaviour are consistent with the behaviour of other feliforms.[5]
Hyenas, especially spotted hyenas, are known for killing as much as
Hyena facts
A spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) on the plains of the Mara
A few kilometres from the Big Cat Live camp was a hyena den whose occupants we were able to follow on the webcams and with thermal imaging cameras. Such dens are hard to spot unless the hyenas are at home — just flattened grass and a hole in the ground.
The spotted hyena is a common dog–like carnivore found on the dry open plains of the Masai Mara and much of sub–Saharan Africa. Dark spots cover yellow–brown fur and their long muscular necks and powerful shoulders make them instantly recognisable. Hyenas are built for endurance — their large hearts help them pursue prey over great distances.
Hyenas live in social groups — clans — but they are structured very differently to a lion pride. A clan can have as many as 50 members, headed by a female. As with elephants, this alpha female is known as the matriarch. Male hyenas rank not just below her, but below all the females in the clan.
Being the dominant sex, the females are more aggressive and larger than the males. They weigh up to 80kg, around 20kg heavier than the males. Fascinatingly, the female genitalia
Hyena (or Hyæna) is any terrestrial mammal in the subfamily Hyaeninae of the family Hyaenidae of the order Carnivora, typically characterized by a dog-like appearance, powerful jaws, and hind limbs shorter than fore limbs. There are three extant (living) species of hyenas: Crocuta crocuta (spotted hyena or laughing hyena), Hyaena hyaena (striped hyena), and Parahyaena brunnea (brown hyena). A fourth living member of the Hyaenidae family is Proteles cristatus (the aardwolf); however, it is a member of the Protelinae subfamily. The Hyaenidae family is also known as the hyena family, and all members of this family, including the aardwolf, are sometimes designated as hyenas.
Hyenas are native to Africa, Arabia, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Although they resemble dogs in appearance, they are more closely related to cats, and are placed in the suborder Feliformia ("cat-like") of the order Carnivora, rather than the suborder Caniformia ("dog-like").
There is a historical tendency for people to have strongly negative views toward hyenas. Their scavenger nature, including scavenging graves for food, has led people to associate hyenas with gluttony, u
Hyena
Hyenas are known for their famous laugh-like vocalizations. These dog-like predators are actually more closely related to cats, and are a uniquely small member of the carnivore family. There are just four living species of hyenas, and each is slightly different in appearance and behavior. Read on to learn about the hyena.
Description of the Hyena
There are four species of hyenas, and each is built slightly different than another. All living hyenas have similar qualities and a skeletal structure. They have a short torso, and low hindquarters giving their back a hunched appearance.
They have long forelegs and thick necks, and from their heads to their tails, their backs slope noticeably downward. Most species are tan or brown in color, with dark stripes or spots.
Interesting Facts About the Hyena
Hyenas are unique predators that aren’t quite like big cats, but aren’t canines either. Each species has slightly different behavior, but all are incredibly interesting creatures!
- Who Has the Loudest Laugh? – Researchers believe that the pitch and tone of a hyena’s characteristic laugh can indicate their current social status. This can efficiently communicate to the othe
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