Hyenas are widely recognized as African carnivores, often misunderstood because their appearance and behaviors resemble those of dogs. The common question of whether hyenas are canines stems from this similarity, but the definitive answer is no. Despite the likeness, hyenas are not members of the canine family (Canidae), which includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. They are instead classified into their own distinct biological grouping within the order of meat-eating mammals.
Where Hyenas Really Belong
Hyenas belong to the order Carnivora, but their evolutionary path separates them from the dog family at a higher taxonomic level. This order is split into two major suborders: Caniformia (dog-like) and Feliformia (cat-like), and hyenas fall squarely into the latter. Hyenas are grouped with the “cat-like” carnivores, which often surprises people who focus solely on their outer appearance.
Within the Feliformia suborder, hyenas occupy their own family, called Hyaenidae, which highlights their unique evolutionary status. Their closest living relatives are not dogs, but rather Viverrids (such as civets and genets) and Herpestids (which include mongooses and meerkats). The Hyaenidae family contains four extant species: the Spotted Hyena, the Striped Hyena, the Brown Hyena, and the specialized Aardwolf.
Why Hyenas Look and Act Like Dogs
The widespread confusion about hyenas’ classification illustrates convergent evolution. This occurs when unrelated species independently evolve similar physical characteristics or behaviors because they occupy similar ecological niches. Hyenas and canids are both cursorial hunters, meaning they are adapted for running long distances to pursue prey on open terrain.
This shared lifestyle has led both families to develop non-retractable claws, unlike most cats, and a body structure optimized for endurance running. Like many canids, hyenas often live and hunt in social groups, or clans, utilizing a combination of hunting and scavenging to secure food. These similarities are the primary reasons why hyenas are frequently mistaken for members of the dog family.
The Unique Biological Blueprint
Despite these similarities, the internal and structural anatomy of hyenas firmly places them outside the dog family. A primary distinction lies in their highly specialized dentition, which is adapted for crushing bone, a feature far more developed than in most canids. Spotted Hyenas possess massive cheek teeth called carnassials and robust premolars that generate immense bite force, allowing them to pulverize the thickest bones of large ungulates.
The hyena’s digestive system is equally specialized, capable of processing bone matter, which results in characteristic chalky white droppings. Behaviorally, spotted hyenas exhibit a complex social structure unlike the typical dog-pack hierarchy. They are organized into matriarchal clans where females are larger, more dominant, and possess an unusual pseudo-penis. These distinct anatomical and social features confirm that hyenas are a separate family of carnivores.