Hyena animal

Hyenas or hyaenas are any

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 they are closer to felines and

viverrids , hyenas are behaviourally and morphologically similar

to canines in several aspects; 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 nails are

adapted for running and making sharp turns. However, the

hyenas' grooming, scent marking, defecating habits, mating,

and parental behaviour are consistent with the behaviour of

other feliforms.