There are many misconceptions about the origins and nature of hyenas. Their physiological oddities have made them a topic of research for zoologists worldwide.
What exactly is a hyena? Is it a member of the dog family? Or is it related to cats, or perhaps an entirely different family? The answer to that question is a bit complex. Hyenas can be described as animals with a “dog-like” body and “cat-like” anatomy, but they are truly unique creatures.
Hyenas are a distinct family within the Carnivora order.
However, there are still many misunderstandings about this animal. They are not wild dogs, and they are certainly not just scavengers.
Let’s start with the basics: hyenas are a distinct family within the Carnivora order. This family contains four extant species. Spotted hyenas, brown hyenas, and aardwolves all originate from Sub-Saharan Africa. The striped hyena is native to North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
None of these species are currently threatened with extinction, although striped hyenas and brown hyenas are at risk due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Based on fossil data, we know that many species from this family have gone extinct in the past, dating back millions of years.
All four species share several characteristics, but the spotted hyena is perhaps the most peculiar. It has undergone significant changes over the past few million years to distinguish itself from its closely related species.
Striped hyenas are nocturnal animals but can be seen outside their dens at dusk and dawn.
Are hyenas related to dogs or cats?
Essentially, hyenas are not true cats like tigers, leopards, and domestic cats, all of which belong to the family Felidae. Instead, hyenas belong to a separate group that is more closely related to cats than to dogs.
The Carnivora order that hyenas belong to first appeared around 50 to 60 million years ago. These early carnivores developed specialized teeth for tearing meat. At least based on partial reconstructions of the fossil record, paleontologists know that some of them may have resembled modern weasels and adapted to climbing trees.
The earliest carnivores quickly split into distinct dog and cat lineages. Both branches followed separate paths, leading to the emergence of new forms. Then, around 30 million years ago, the cat lineage split into two main groups. One branch gave rise to modern cats. The other branch led to hyenas, mongooses, and civets (such as the Asian palm civet).
Environmental conditions have changed over the past 10 million years to support greater hyena evolution.
About 10 to 20 million years ago, the hyena lineage began to form as a unique and distinct group. It branched into at least three separate families, of which only one (the true hyena family) clearly exists today. Environmental changes over the past 10 million years eventually supported the evolution of larger and stronger hyenas.
Though the last time they shared a common ancestor was about 30 million years ago, cats, hyenas, mongooses, and civets all belong to a unique type that modern taxonomists refer to as Feliformia.
Feliformia comes from a Latin term meaning “cat-like,” simply describing their evolutionary relationship. It does not describe what they currently are. In fact, hyenas are no longer typical animals in the modern cat family.
How are hyenas similar to cats?
The evolutionary relationship between hyenas and cats may not be immediately apparent since they look very different. However, there are indeed a few characteristics they share. One defining feature shared by almost all members of Feliformia (cat-like carnivores) is the unique structure of the middle and inner ear bones. This is a very subtle detail, but its presence in almost all Feliformia species suggests it may have evolved early in the lineage and then been passed down to all descendant species.
Another similarity between hyenas and cats is their very rough tongues, which include similar barbs or spines that help strip meat from prey and also assist in grooming. You may be amused to find that hyenas groom themselves with their tongues in a manner similar to cats.
However, aside from a few other obvious similarities, hyenas and cats are very distinct animals. After all, 30 million years have passed since they last shared a common ancestor. This is a long enough time for hyenas to evolve into something very different. For example, thirty million years is a larger gap than the time separating humans from most apes and monkeys. Therefore, although they are members of Feliformia, hyenas do not actually resemble cats at all.
Hyenas and cats share a unique structure of the middle and inner ear bones.
How are hyenas different from cats?
Hyenas are indeed different from cats in many ways. One of the most significant differences is their social nature in hunting strategies. While some species prefer scavenging for leftover food, hyenas are also skilled hunters. Unlike cats, they often cannot climb trees or ambush prey; instead, they prefer to chase prey on the ground and tear it apart with their teeth rather than their claws. These teeth actually resemble those of dogs. This is likely because teeth are very useful tools for the hyena’s social hunting strategy.
The hunting strategy also reflects the social structure of this species. The foundation of hyena society is the clan, which can include up to 80 members and sometimes even more. Although hyenas coordinate to take down prey, life in a clan is not entirely cooperative. Hyenas form very strict dominance hierarchies, determining access to both food and mates.
Striped hyenas, brown hyenas, and aardwolves have all adapted to societies often led by males. In contrast, spotted hyenas have a completely opposite structure, with their social organization built around a matriarchy, where a single female represents the core of the clan. She is given priority access to food and mates over other females.
The hunting strategy also reflects the social structure of this species.
In summary, we can say that hyenas are more closely related to cats than to dogs. However, this relationship is quite distant. The last time they shared a common ancestor with cats was about 30 million years ago. This has allowed hyenas ample time to develop their unique characteristics.
