Hyena

Hyenas, or hyaenas, are feliform carnivoran mammals of the family Hyaenidae. With only four extant species, it is the fifth-smallest biological family in the Carnivora and one of the smallest in the class Mammalia. Despite their low diversity, hyenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems. Although phylogenetically closer to felines and viverrids, as part of suborder Feliformia, hyenas are behaviourally and morphologically similar to canids in several elements due to convergent evolution; both hyenas and canines are non-arboreal, cursorial hunters that catch prey with their teeth rather than claws. Both eat food quickly and may store it, and their calloused feet with large, blunt, nonretractable claws are adapted for running and making sharp turns. However, hyenas' grooming, scent marking, defecation habits, mating and parental behavior are consistent with the behavior of other feliforms.

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Caller ID: Hyena 'whoops' feature individual signatures

Fossils of Aardwolf-Like Hyena Unearthed in China

Ice age mammoth, woolly rhino and hyena bones uncovered in English town

Hyena scavenging provides public health and economic benefits to African cities

Inherited Social Networks – Passed From Mothers to Offspring – Are Essential to Hyena Life and Survival

Inheriting mother's friends key to hyena success

Inheritance of Rank: Hyena Mothers Pass Their Social Networks to Their Cubs

High-ranking hyena mothers pass their social networks to their cubs

High-ranking hyena mothers pass their social networks to their cubs

Inherited social networks shape spotted hyena society and survival

Mind-controlling parasite makes hyena cubs more reckless around lions

Cat-Borne Parasite Toxoplasma – Which Infects 2 Billion People Worldwide – Induces Fatally Bold Behavior in Hyena Cubs