Today is International Hyena Day as well as being International Tapir Day
Hyenas are carnivorous mammals that are found throughout Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.
There are 4 species of Hyena, the Brown (found only in Africa), the Striped (Africa, much of the Middle East and parts of Asia), Spotted (Native to Sub-Saharan Africa) and the Aardwolf Hyena (Africa).
Although Hyenas are related more to felines than they are to Canines their behaviour more closely resembles Canines.
Hyena evolution can be traced back to around 22 million years ago and although all related the 4 species are quite distinctive from each other.
Although most famous for being scavengers Hyenas are very capable hunters and get 50-90% of their diet from hunting depending on the species of Hyena.
Hyenas have a rich history associated with human too which are explained and explored in the links below.
www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/hyena
talkinghumanities.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2021/03/16/hyenas-and-humans-millennia-of-myths-misrepresentations-and-persecution/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqYIMgpqo1M
KIDS CORNER
www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/spotted-hyena-facts/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBVetU8FsRE
By Brendon Crook