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Hyaenidae:
Hyenas or Hyænas are moderately large terrestrial carnivores native to Africa and the Indian subcontinent. They are members of the family Hyaenidae. They are known for a chirping, birdlike bark that resembles the sound of hysterical human laughter. Although hyenas bear some physical resemblance to wild dogs, they make up a separate biological family which is most closely related to Herpestidae (the family of mongooses and meerkats). The hyena has one of the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom and an adult of the species has only the large cats of the family Felidae (Lions, Tigers, etc.) to fear. An adult hyena's bite pressure can reach 50 kilograms per cm² (800 lb per square inch), allowing it to easily crush bone. |
