THE TORTOISE-SHELL HY^NA, OR HYAENA DOG. 71 



THE TORTOISE-SHELL HYAENA, OR HY^NA DOG, 



IN THE ROYAL MENAGERY, TOWER OF LONDON. 



Although this animal is, in its form and make and general outward appearance, wholly dissimilar 

 to the spotted and striped hyaenas, described in a former part of this work, yet in its natural charac- 

 teristics it bears the strongest resemblance. It possesses the same ferocity, the same untameable 

 disposition, and in its general habits it is equally brutal and disgusting. It is very seldom that a 

 specimen of this species is to be seen in this country, as from an uncommon degree of cunning, which 

 is one of its distinguishing traits of character, it seldom allows itself to be trepanned, nor is it in its 

 nature so prolific as the striped or spotted hyaena. In its make it is much longer than the common 

 hyaena, resembling more the form of a wolf, and in the shape of its head it also bears some resemblance 

 to the latter animal. Its ears are rounded at the extremity, and erect, and the eyes have all the 

 wildness and ferocity natural to the species. Its colour is a light fulvous-brown, intermixed with large 

 irregular-shaped patches of a darker hue, resembling the shades of the tortoise-shell, from which cir- 

 cumstance it derives its name. The colour of the nose and muzzle is completely black, and a 

 strong line of the same colour passes from the nose along the centre of the forehead to between the 

 ears. The tail is of moderate length, covered with long bushy hair, and divided in the middle by a 

 ring of black, the remaining part being nearly white. There is a peculiarity attached to the colouring 

 of this animal, which is, that it varies in different individuals in the same manner as the tortoise-shell 

 spots of the cat ; no two individuals resemble each other in the size and configuration of the spots, 

 although in disposition and appearance no difference is perceptible. In its generic character it differs 

 very little from the striped hyaena, but its light and agile make indicates that it is more adapted for 

 pursuit than for the slow and prowling habits of the common species. There is something in the 

 aspect of this animal that indicates a peculiar gloominess and malignity of disposition, and its manners 

 correspond with its appearance. An attempt was made to associate this animal with the other Hyaenas 

 in the same menagery, but a war broke out immediately, which would have terminated in the death of 

 one of the combatants. 



In the shape and elevation of its body, the hvaena dog is decidedly distinguished from the com- 

 mon species, its legs being considerably longer and straighter in relation to its size, and the general 

 form and proportions, in regard to the structure of the whole frame, exhibit not the slightest simi- 

 larity. It is entirely destitute of the erect and bristly mane of thehysena, nor does it carry its head in 

 that crouching, depressed attitude, which distinguishes the other species of the same genus. In some 

 respects, this animal may be said to form a link between the hyaena and the dog ; it corresponds com- 

 pletely with the latter in the number of its teeth, and also in the structure of the skeleton, particularly 

 in the vertebrae of the neck. The skeleton of the hysena dog, when put in apposition with that of 

 the hyaena, presents a very slight affinity. 



The hyaena dog is a native of the south of Africa, and on the frontier settlements of the Cape 

 commits great havoc and devastation. We are informed by Mr. Burchell, that it hunts in regular 

 packs, preferring the night, but frequently pursuing its prey even by day. It is not only exceedingly 

 fierce, but also remarkably swift and active, in which latter qualities it is so superior, that none but the 

 fleetest animals can escape from its pursuit. Sheep, horses, and oxen, appear to be its favourite game ; 

 on the former it makes its onset openly and without fear, but it seems to stand in awe of the latter, 

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