10 different animals similar to hyenas
Hyenas (Hyaenidae) predominantly inhabit various African habitats, as well as regions in Arabia and India. Classified among the smaller Carnivora mammals, they measure approximately 3 to 5 feet in length and weigh between 100 to 150 pounds.
Comprising four species—spotted, striped, brown, and aardwolf—hyenas exhibit distinctive ear shapes, with rounded ears in spotted hyenas and pointed ears in the others. The aardwolf, specializing in an insectivorous diet, relies on its extended, adhesive tongue to consume as many as 250,000 termites daily.
Primarily nocturnal, hyenas remain active during the day and form clans with memberships of up to 80 individuals. Notably recognized for their laugh-like vocalizations, they use these sounds to communicate and alert clan members, particularly during food discoveries.
Continue to read to learn about 10 fascinating animals similar to hyenas:
1. African civet
The African civet shares commonalities with hyenas, featuring similar body shapes, nocturnal activity, and the presence of manes. Residing in central and southern Africa, particularly in savannas, forests, or along river systems, African civets exhibit a comparable overall body structure and a short mane of hair along their backs akin to hyenas.
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These nocturnal and solitary creatures display flexibility, showcasing the ability to climb, swim, and dig. Their omnivorous diet encompasses a variety of foods, including fruits, rodents, insects, carrion, eggs, and more.
2. Dingoes
Dingoes share resemblances with hyenas, featuring similar ear shapes and long tails. These dog-like carnivores are primarily found in Australia and Chile, exhibiting pack-hunting behavior capable of taking down adult kangaroos and livestock.
Utilizing a range of vocalizations, including howls, snorts, shrill calls, and purrs, dingoes showcase complex communication within their packs.
3. African painted dog
Often mistaken for hyenas, the African painted dog, also known as the African wild dog, shares similarities in appearance and hunting habits while inhabiting similar environments.
Resembling hyenas in ear shape and fur patterns, African painted dogs thrive in African savannas, grasslands, and open areas. Notably different, they belong to the Canidae family, exhibiting a body shape more squared-off akin to domestic dogs. These wild dogs can have notably larger litters, with up to 20 pups, in contrast to hyenas, which typically have 2 or 3 cubs at a time.
4. Coyotes
Coyotes share similarities with hyenas in ear shape and long tails, while also exhibiting a social group lifestyle. Thriving in diverse habitats, including suburbs and cities throughout North America, coyotes are omnivores with a significant meat component in their diet, preying on livestock, small mammals, pets, and insects
Much like hyenas, these canids live in social groups, typically ranging from 5 to 20 members. Notably, coyotes can crossbreed with both domestic dogs and gray wolves.
5. Genets
Genets, although not actual cats, share the Feliformia suborder with hyenas and are nocturnally active. Classified under the family Viverridae, alongside civets, these cat-like creatures exhibit omnivorous behavior, consuming fruits and small prey. Night hunters, they particularly target birds.
Characterized by flexible bodies, short legs, long tails, pointed noses, and large rounded ears, genets showcase spotted fur with a central black stripe and a ringed tail.
6. Mongooses
Mongooses share similarities with hyenas as they both belong to the Feliformia suborder within the Carnivora order and inhabit the same regions. Classified under the cat-like group of Feliformia, mongooses and hyenas are part of the larger Carnivora order, which distinguishes between cat-like and dog-like animals.
Displaying opportunistic hunting and scavenging behaviors, mongooses have a diverse diet that includes birds, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and vegetation. Much like hyenas, mongooses are distributed across Africa, parts of Asia, and Iberia, with various species exhibiting terrestrial, semi-aquatic, or tree-dwelling habits.
7. Aardvarks
The aardvark, similar to the aardwolf hyena, is a nocturnal insectivore with a diet primarily consisting of termites.
Feeding on up to 50,000 termites and ants per day, the aardvark employs its long, sticky tongue for foraging. This distinctive trait is shared with the aardwolf, which also consumes over 250,000 termites daily.
Inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa, aardvarks thrive in diverse ecosystems, including savannas, grasslands, rainforests, and woodlands. Walking on their toes, these creatures exhibit proficient swimming abilities.
8. Jackals
Jackals share similarities with hyenas in their ear shape, long tails, and pack behavior. Distributed across Africa and Eurasia, jackals inhabit diverse environments such as savannas, deserts, grasslands, and woodlands. While some jackals lead solitary lives, they commonly form packs consisting of approximately six members.
Belonging to the same family as wolves and coyotes, jackals exhibit characteristics akin to hyenas, including pointed ears, long tails, and a social-pack structure.
9. Tasmanian devil
The Tasmanian devil, a nocturnal carnivorous marsupial, shares dental features with hyenas.
Active during the night or crepuscular hours, Tasmanian devils have a carnivorous diet, consuming prey such as wombats, sheep, rabbits, wallabies, and carrion. Their bone-cracking feeding behavior resembles that of hyenas. Native to the state of Tasmania, Australia, they inhabit coastal woodlands and dry sclerophyll forests.
Known for their vocalizations, Tasmanian devils emit screams and growls while feeding at night. Characterized by a stocky, bear-like build and thick dark fur with a distinctive white breast stripe, they are roughly the size of a cat or small dog.
10. Foxes
Foxes share similarities with hyenas, exhibiting nocturnal activity and producing a range of vocalizations. Much like hyenas, foxes are predominantly active during the night. Their diet encompasses a variety of prey, showcasing exceptional hunting skills as they catch rabbits, birds, frogs, and rodents. Foxes also display opportunistic behavior by consuming berries, carrion, and other food sources.
Emitting sounds that can resemble a screaming woman to warn competing mates, they also produce high-pitched “yip” sounds akin to those of dogs. Widespread across the globe, excluding Antarctica, foxes inhabit diverse terrains.
