A hyena, (family Hyaenidae), also spelled hyaena, is a coarse-furred, doglike carnivore found in Asia and Africa and noted for its scavenging habits. Hyenas have long forelegs and a powerful neck and shoulders for dismembering and carrying prey. Hyenas are tireless trotters with excellent sight, hearing, and smell for locating carrion, and they are proficient hunters as well. All hyenas are more or less nocturnal.

The spotted, or laughing, hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is the largest species and will burglarize food stores, steal livestock, occasionally kill people, and consume wastes.

Hyenas are widespread and found in most habitats. Spotted hyenas are found in all habitats, including savannas, grasslands, woodlands, forest edges, subdeserts, and even mountains up to 4,000 meters. Male hyenas live a hard life in a female-dominated society. When males reach sexual maturity they must leave their pack and find another pack to integrate into. The females of other packs will attack males, and it takes lots of fighting and interaction before the male is accepted into the pack. Males are always at the bottom of the pecking order in a hyena pack.

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