Hyaenidae (aardwolf, hyenas)

Hyaenidae
There are four species in this family. They are native to Africa, Asia, and India. They have rounded ears; long, bushy tails; large heads; and powerful jaws. Their front legs are longer than their rear legs. The females in this family are larger than the males. Three species in this family have stripes or spots. Three of the species in this family hunt and scavenge for food. The fourth species, the aardwolf, eats termites. The species in this family live in packs that are dominated by a female.

Hyaenidae General Resources
Crocuta (spotted hyena)

Hyaena (brown hyena, striped hyena)
Proteles (aardwolf)

Hyaenidae General Resources

Hyena
The hyena is Africa's most common large carnivore.
Source: African Wildlife Foundation Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Crocuta (spotted hyena)

Spotted Hyena
The spotted hyena has sloping shoulders, large ears, and spots!
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Spotted Hyena
Spotted hyenas are scavengers and eat the leftovers of other predators.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Spotted Hyena
Spotted hyenas occur throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Spotted Hyena
Spotted hyenas are the largest of the hyenas.
Source: Honolulu Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Spotted Hyena
Spotted hyenas are also known as laughing hyenas.
Source: Oakland Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Spotted Hyena
Spotted hyena packs are made up of up of 20 or more related individuals.
Source: St. Louis Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Hyaena (brown hyena, striped hyena)

Brown Hyena
Brown hyenas are found in the southern tip of Africa. The largest populations are in the southern Kalahari and the coastal areas of southwest Africa.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Striped Hyena
Striped hyenas were once found from Great Britain to China.
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Striped Hyena
The striped hyena has a brown coat with zebra-like stripes.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Striped Hyena
The striped hyena is a scavenger. It can digest parts of animals that other species can't handle.
Source: The Living Desert Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Striped Hyena
Striped hyenas are found in Northern and Eastern Africa, the Middle East, India, and Asia extending north to the Caucasus and southern Siberia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Proteles (aardwolf)

Aardwolf
Aardwolves are nocturnal insectivores! They eat harvester termites.
Source: The Living Desert Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes