Hyena n. (pl. hyenas) (Written also hyaena) (Zool.) Any carnivorous mammal of the family Hyaenidae, doglike nocturnal mammals of Africa and southern Asia, of which three living species are known. They are large and strong, but cowardly. They feed chiefly on carrion, and are nocturnal in their habits. Synonyms: hyaena. Note: The striped hyena (Hyaena striata) inhabits Southern Asia and a large part of Africa. The brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea), and the spotted hyena (Crocuta maculata), are found in Southern Africa. The extinct cave hyena (Hyaena spelaea) inhabited England and France.
Cave hyena. See under Cave. Hyena dog (Zool.), a South African canine animal (Lycaon venaticus), which hunts in packs, chiefly at night. It is smaller than the common wolf, with very large, erect ears, and a bushy tail. Its color is reddish or yellowish brown, blotched with black and white. Called also hunting dog.
