Hyenas (or Hyaenas) 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.
In Africa today, Hyenas are associated with sorcery in folklore. The Zulu nation, under Shaka Zulu, feared the power of hyenas.
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.
Hyenas are also highly intelligent predators, even more intelligent than the lions (some scientists claim they are of equal intelligence to certain apes) (Said by biologist Jeff Corwin, in an episode of "The Jeff Corwin Experience" concentrating on spotted hyenas).
Although hyenas look rather like large dogs, they make up a seperate biological family which is most closely related to the Herpestidae (the family that mongooses and meerkats belong to).
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 togather make up the subfamily Hyaeninae), and the Aardwolf, which is the only member of the subfamily Protelinae.
In Africa today, Hyenas are associated with Sorcery in folklore.
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