Hyaena
or HYENA, a genus of digitigrade carnivorous quadrupeds, included in the genus Canis by Linnæus, but now referred to the Æluroid division of the Carnivora, of which, however, it is a somewhat aberrant member, forming with Proteles a sub-family, Hyӕnina. Hyenas have six incisors and two canine teeth in each jaw, five molars on each side in the upper jaw, and four in the under. The body is covered with rather long coarse hair, forming a mane along the neck and back. The feet have each four toes. Beneath the anus is a deep glandular pouch, contributing much to the offensive odor by which hyenas are characterized. Hyenas eat carrion as well as newly killed prey, and are of much use as scavengers. They sometimes attack cattle, especially if they times seize children. During the day flee, but rarely man, though they sometimes seize children. During the day they hide themselves, by night they roam singly or in packs in quest of prey. the S. of Asia, not extending to the Hyenas are found only in Africa and and often dig up corpses that have not been very deeply buried.
Hyenas are found only in Africa and the S. of Asia, not exten farthest E. of the latter continent. The of the size of a large dog. The spotted size, color, etc. The smallest hyenas are extending to the in Asia and Africa, and there are several varieties considerably different in size, color, etc. The smallest hyenas of the size of a large dog. The spotted hyena a (H. crocuta) inhabits South Africa. It is rather smaller than the largest varieties of the striped hyena, but is more fierce and dangerous. It is called tiger-wolf by the colonists Cape of Good Hope. Besides its ordinary howling, this lonists of the in an expression of gratification, resembling hysterical laughter, whence it has this hyena often indulges acquired the name of laughing hyena.
The general color is ochry gray, with thinly scattered small round brown spots, African species. hyena (H. brunnea) is a smaller South African species.