Are Hyenas Cats or Dogs?

Are hyenas cats or dogs?

Hyenas are neither cats nor dogs. They belong to their own distinct biological family, Hyaenidae.¹²

While hyenas are often described as “doglike” due to their appearance and scavenging habits, they are actually more closely related to cats. Both hyenas and cats belong to the suborder Feloidea, whereas dogs belong to the suborder Canoidea. The lineage that led to modern hyenas diverged from the cat group approximately 30 million years ago, allowing them to develop unique evolutionary adaptations, such as powerful jaws and broad molars capable of crushing bones—a trait not typically found in cats or dogs.³²⁴¹

What is the difference between Feliformia and Caniformia?

The order Carnivora is divided into two distinct superfamilies: Canoidea (also known as Caniformia) and Feloidea (also known as Aeluroidea). This classification, which dates back to the late 1800s, reflects the evolutionary relationships between the various families of terrestrial carnivores.⁶

Canoidea (Caniformia)

The Canoidea superfamily includes families that are more closely related to one another based on studies in comparative anatomy and the fossil record. These include:⁵

• Canidae: Dogs, wolves, and foxes.⁷⁵
• Ursidae: Bears.⁷
• Procyonidae: Raccoons and related species.⁷
• Mustelidae: Weasels, badgers, and otters.⁷

Feloidea (Feliformia)

The Feloidea superfamily encompasses families that share a different evolutionary lineage. These include:⁶

• Felidae: Cats.⁷
• Hyaenidae: Hyenas and the aardwolf.⁷⁶
• Viverridae: Civets and genets.⁷
• Herpestidae: Mongooses.⁷

While these groupings help organize the diversity of carnivores, the taxonomy remains a subject of ongoing study, as researchers continue to use genetic fingerprinting to refine our understanding of these evolutionary connections.⁶

What are the main physical differences between hyenas and aardwolves?

While the aardwolf is classified within the family Hyaenidae, it exhibits several distinct physical differences compared to the three species of hyena:

• Size and Build: Aardwolves are significantly smaller, standing less than 0.5 meters (about 1.5 feet) tall at the shoulder and weighing between 8 and 12 kg (18 to 26 pounds). In contrast, hyenas are much larger; for example, the spotted hyena can reach 1 meter in height and weigh up to 82 kg.
• Dentition and Jaws: While hyenas possess robust skulls, powerful jaws, and broad molars specifically adapted for crushing bones, the aardwolf has a less robust skull. Its cheek teeth are reduced to small, peg-like structures suitable only for its specialized diet of termites.
• Feet: Aardwolves have five toes on their front feet, whereas hyenas typically have four.
• Locomotion: Aardwolves are less adapted for running compared to the “tireless” trotting ability of hyenas.

Despite these differences, both animals share certain traits, including sturdy shoulders, longer front legs than hind legs, and a long, coarse ridge of erectile hair along the back.

How do hyenas use their strong jaws to survive in the wild?

Hyenas utilize their powerful jaws and broad molars as a critical survival adaptation, allowing them to access nutrients that other predators cannot reach. By crushing bones, hyenas can consume every part of a carcass, which is then digested in the stomach using highly concentrated hydrochloric acid.¹⁴

This bone-crushing capability evolved as a specialized trait, likely allowing early hyaenids to exploit large carcasses left behind by other predators, such as sabre-toothed cats. In the wild, these heavy jaws enable hyenas to be highly efficient scavengers, as they can process remains that have already been stripped of soft tissue by other animals. Furthermore, their strong neck and shoulder muscles work in tandem with their jaws to facilitate the dismembering and carrying of prey, supporting their role as both proficient hunters and opportunistic feeders.⁴¹²¹