64 THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



HYENAS 



The Cat family, as we have seen, includes a very large number 

 of animals differing widely from each other, but all having certain 

 qualities in common. The next important family is that of the 

 Dogs, but there are several animals with a certain resemblance 

 both to the Cat and the Dog tribe that cannot properly be 

 classed in either family. Of these the Hyaena is perhaps the 

 most important. 



The Hyaena, which is rather larger than a collie, somewhat 

 resembles a rough-haired dog in general appearance. On the 

 neck, however, is a mane of bristly hairs, and the body slopes 

 from the shoulders almost to the tail. This is due to the fact 

 that almost the whole muscular strength of a hyaena is concentrated 

 into the fore parts of its body. 



The jaws are so immensely powerful that they will crack and 

 splinter the thigh-bone of an ox; and the fore-legs, which are 

 employed for digging, are also very large and strong. But the 

 hind -legs, which are not so used, are quite short and small in 

 comparison ; and to this fact the animal owes its slinking appear- 

 ance, and its curious shambling gait. 



Like the jackal, the hyaena is very much averse to seeking 

 prey for itself, and much prefers to feast upon the carcasses of 

 animals which have been killed by beasts of prey, or have died 

 a natural death. When pressed by hunger, however, it will some- 

 times attack cattle, and has a curious way of suddenly springing 

 up just beneath their eyes, in the hope of startling them, and 

 causing them to take to flight. If the frightened animal does 

 so, the hyaina leaps upon its flanks, and tries to tear it to the 

 ground. 



But the hyaena is a sad coward, and will never attack any 

 animal which faces it. For this reason it often happens that 

 the strong and vigorous cattle fall victims to it, while those that 

 are weakly escape; for the former attempt to run away, while the 

 latter, being unable to do so, are compelled to stand their ground. 



