Hyena

Hyenas (or Hyænas) are moderately large terrestrial carnivores native to Africa and Asia, and members of the family Hyaenidae. Although hyenas look rather like large dogs, they make up a separate biological family which is most closely related to Herpestidae (the family of mongooses and meerkats).

In ancient times, large hyenas ranged over much of Europe and Asia, but they are much reduced in range and diversity today. Only four species survive: the Spotted, Brown, and Striped Hyenas (which together make up the subfamily Hyaeninae), and the Aardwolf, which is the only member of the subfamily Protelinae.

Despite what is usually said, only some species belonging to this family are scavengers: while the brown and the striped hyena derive most of their diets from scavenging, the spotted hyena is a real predator. Besides, the aardwolf usually eat insects.

Classification

Family Hyaenidae

• Subfamily Hyaeninae
  • Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta
  • Brown Hyena Parahyaena brunnea (formerly Hyaena brunnea)
  • Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena
• Subfamily Protelinae
  • Aardwolf Proteles cristatus

External links

• Robin M. Weare's Hyena pages at liberalmafia.org
• Nature-Wildlife