Hyenas, also called hyaenas or hyaenids, are feliform carnivoran mammals of the family Hyaenidae unique to the ecosystem of Africa. Although they are closely related to felines, they morphologically resemble canids due to convergent evolution. Extinct species ranged from North America and Eurasia. Hyenas first appeared during the Early Miocene, with Plioviverrops.
The vocalization of the hyena is known to resemble human laughter. They also have a high concentration of antibodies present in their saliva, making them resistant to diseases and rabies.
History[]
The Lost World: Jurassic Park[]
- "I've worked around predators since I was 20. Lions, jackals, hyenas, you."
- —Sarah Harding([[|src]])
Sarah Harding had previous field experience observing various African predators which included lions, jackals, and hyenas. This was cited by John Hammond as the reason for her safety on the Isla Sorna Expedition, though her boyfriend Ian Malcolm disagreed.
Novels[]
The Lost World[]
Sarah Harding and her assistant Makena watched a pack of hyenas (most likely spotted hyenas) attacking a herd of African buffaloes in the Serengeti. The hyenas tried to separate the herd to kill a juvenile. In a second attempt, the pack successfully killed a young buffalo, but Sarah did not witness the attack, frustrating her. She happens to be the biggest specialist of these beasts in the world in those recent years. With the herd moving to the east, the hyenas rejoice in their kill as they call for their babies to feast. However, a pack of lions appears, forcing the hyenas to move their babies away from the dead buffalo. While she watches this, Sarah receives a call from Jack Thorne that Richard Levine has disappeared in Costa Rica.
After witnessing an attack of the Velociraptors on a herd of Dryosaurus, Harding thinks about herself how lions and hyenas feasted on their meal while vultures and marabou storks waited behind, with jackals and other small scavengers waiting behind them.
Games[]
Jurassic Park: Builder[]
The hyena (spelt hyaena) is mentioned in the Evo 1 fact for Hyaenodon (whose name means "hyaena-toothed").
Jurassic World: The Game[]
The hyena is mentioned in the Evo 4 fact for Hyaenodon (who's name means "Hyena Tooth" even though the two species aren't related; while hyenas are related to cats, Hyaendon is a creodont), and the Evo 2 fact for Megistotherium (which was related to hyenas even though it is closer to a modern polar bear in size).
Jurassic World: Alive[]
The hyena is mentioned in the database entries for Aenocyonyx (whose packs are matriarchal like modern hyenas, with females lead hunts and get prime cuts of the kill).
