HYENA
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Hyaenidae Crocuta crocuta

Hyenas are doglike animals found in Africa and Asia. Although they mainly feed on carrion, their reputation for cowardice is unfounded. They frequently hunt quite formidable prey such as zebra and wildebeest. They hunt at night in packs of up to twenty, chasing their prey at speeds of up to 37 mph (60 km/h). They have strong shoulders which are higher than their hindquarters, powerful jaws, and strong teeth that can crush large bones.

There are three species of hyena. The largest and most aggressive is the spotted or laughing hyena. It can be up to 5 feet (1.5m) long and weigh as much as 180 lbs (82 kg). Its coat is gray to tawny in color, or sometimes a yellowish-buff color, with numerous brown spots. The spotted hyena is found in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It lives in clans of up to 100. By day it rests in lairs-either caves or burrows-or simply hidden among rocks and dense vegetation.

The brown hyena of southern Africa is slightly smaller with a dark brown coat and distinct stripes on the legs. It lives near the shore, feeding on anything from dead crabs to the carcasses of stranded whales.

The smallest and rarest species is the striped hyena which is yellowish-brown in color with dark stripes. They have a long, shaggy mane along their backs, and are found in North Africa, Arabia, the Middle East, and India.