Hyena Laughing hyena Crocuta, crocuta Hyena also spelled Hyaena, any of three coarse-furred, dog like carnivores, family Hyaenidae, found in Asia and Africa and noted for their scavenging habits. Hyenas are distinguished by having four toes on each foot, comparatively long forelegs, non retractile claws, and enormously strong jaws and teeth that are capable of crushing large bones. They live alone or in packs and may be active by night or day. In many regions they depend for food on the remains of carcasses left by larger carnivores. Hyenas are generally quite retiring, but when carrion and small game are scarce they will attack helpless animals, such as sheep, goats, and young animals.
Color is yellowish or grayish with dark spots.
The spotted hyena also known as the Laughing Hyena is the most robust and daring of the hyenas, and when food is scarce it has been known to attack sleeping people and to carry off young children. The other species are not as noisy. These, of course, are the remains after the predator has had its fill. Spotted hyenas hunt in aggressive packs and at times attack and kill larger animals, even as large as a young rhino. If the animal attacked puts up a fight, the hyenas stop the attack and move away.