Hyena | Facts & Information

Hyenas (Hyenas) are members of the family Hyaenidae that are part of the suborder Carnivora. Although they are among the smallest animals of the mammalia Kingdom, hyenas have a unique and vital role in the African and asian ecosystems.

They appeared 15 million years ago in Eurasia and evolved into two distinct types: the first dog-like type that became extinct due to climate change and the second type that we will describe below.

They are well-known in mythologyand local folklore, are associated with witchcraft, certain parts of the body, including bones, are used as ingredients in traditional medicine.

They are known to influence people's spirits, rob graves, steal animals and children.

Hyena Feed

The hyena is primarily a sanitary, it will kill any defenseless animal or quench its hunger with one found by chance. If he doesn't have enough meat or bone to eat, he will supplement his food with fruit.

In addition to the strength that has a strong dentition, the hyena also attacks large hoofed animals in the pack. When he sees a leopard or a cheetah, usually solitary animals, he gathers in his pack and takes his prey.

In the case of lions it is more difficult that they are in the pack and they are bigger and stronger, they must wait to be served first of the prey that they hunt.

Hyena Appearance

Hyenas have a relatively short but massive body similar to that of the Wolf. The forelimbs are longer, while the hind limbs are shorter.

The skull resembles that of carnivorous animals, large and heavy, with shorter facial parts. The canines are large, adapted for carnivorous feeding and gnawing bones. The snout is short, and the claws are non-retractable.

The fur is rare, poorly developed, most species have the richest neck and head area, where the hair is longer.

The ears are large. Unlike other similar animals (dogs, wolves, cats) the hyena has an extra row of ribs and movements in the spine are limited. Males are larger than females.

The dentition is adapted to the consumption of meat and the redness of the bones. The canines are not long, but thick and robust. Mandibles stronger than in peers, evidence that it breaks bones larger than these.

Hyenas are famous for their powerful bite proportional to its size.

Hyenas do not have a good smell, but some say they lack specific smell glands, instead secrete on the dorsal side, more precisely with the anal glands a white secretion, a kind of paste that they leave on plants and trees to mark their territory.

It is so strong that even a man can feel it from a few meters in the direction of the wind.

Hyena Behavior

In terms of differences, the hyena is very good. It seems to be a tradition to lick the genitals like the cat with its foot up. Another difference from its peers is that urine is not used in marking the territory.

If they have anal glands that they use to mark territory, urinating is a simple elimination of fluids. When attacked by lions or tigers, depending on the species, it pretends to be dead, making a series of sounds and screams to deter the attacker or fighting back.

The hyena is generally silent. It only makes sounds when needed.

Hyenas also appear in the Bible in various poses, as far as I understand most of them badly. They are described as creatures of colour. They say hyenas only attack brave people. Throughout Asia it was believed that hyena stripes were symbolic of love and fertility.

Hyena Breeding

Unlike peers that mate once and well, hyenas during the mating period have short and frequent copulations. In spotted hyena cubs are born almost fully developed.

They have open eyes and canines can be seen coming out of the gum. Some color marks distinguish them from males.

Hyenas do not regurgitate food to feed their young, but in some species the males do not engage in raising the young, in others they do.