The question of whether the hyena is more closely related to cats or dogs is a common point of confusion, stemming from the animal’s dog-like appearance and behavior. Hyenas are carnivores known for their powerful build and distinct vocalizations. Their unique blend of physical traits and ecological roles makes their placement on the mammalian family tree seem uncertain. Examining the biological classification of the hyena definitively resolves this question, separating common perception from scientific fact.
The Definitive Taxonomic Placement
Hyenas belong to the order Carnivora, which is split into two major suborders: Caniformia (“dog-like” carnivores) and Feliformia (“cat-like” carnivores). Despite their visual similarities to canids, hyenas are firmly classified within the suborder Feliformia. This placement is based on genetic evidence and specific anatomical features, particularly the structure of the auditory bulla, the bony capsule enclosing the middle and inner ear, which is double-chambered in feliforms.
The Feliformia suborder includes true cats (family Felidae), mongooses (Herpestidae), civets (Viverridae), and the hyena family (Hyaenidae). Conversely, Caniformia contains dogs (Canidae), bears (Ursidae), weasels (Mustelidae), and seals (Pinnipedia). Hyenas share a more recent common ancestor with cats and mongooses than they do with dogs, placing them on the feline side of the evolutionary divide. The Hyaenidae family diverged from its feliform relatives approximately 30 million years ago.
Why Hyenas Look Like Canines
The striking physical and behavioral resemblance between hyenas and dogs is an example of convergent evolution. This biological process occurs when unrelated species independently evolve similar traits because they occupy comparable ecological niches. Hyenas have adopted a lifestyle that requires the traits of a cursorial hunter, meaning they are adapted for running.
This adaptation led to the development of several canine-like features, such as a long muzzle and non-retractable claws. Their limbs are specialized for endurance running and sustained pursuit of prey, a common strategy among canids like wolves and African wild dogs. The spotted hyena’s reliance on communal hunting, where they chase and overwhelm prey, mirrors the pack tactics of many Caniformia species. These shared traits result from occupying similar roles as open-savanna predators and scavengers, not shared ancestry.
Diversity and Unique Traits of the Hyaenidae Family
The Hyaenidae family consists of four extant species, each possessing unique characteristics that distinguish them from both cats and dogs. These species include the large and social Spotted Hyena, the shaggy Brown Hyena, the relatively solitary Striped Hyena, and the specialized Aardwolf. Their most distinctive anatomical feature is the powerful skull and dentition, adapted for durophagy, or bone-crushing.
The Spotted Hyena’s jaws can exert immense pressure, capable of cracking the long bones of large prey. This strength is due to robust jaw muscles and specialized premolars situated behind the shearing carnassial teeth. This allows them to process virtually an entire carcass, giving them a unique niche in the ecosystem.
Socially, the Spotted Hyena exhibits a complex matriarchal structure, unlike the typical male-led pack hierarchies of canids or the solitary nature of most felines. Female hyenas are larger and socially dominant over males, with rank inherited from the mother. The Aardwolf stands apart as a specialized insectivore, feeding almost exclusively on termites and lacking the bone-crushing dentition of the others.