HYENA FAMILY: Do Not Overgeneralize
Hyenas (Hyaenidae), large doglike Mammals, are related to the Viverridae family of Civets, Genets, and Mongooses. Thought to be scavengers, Hyenas are actually skillful hunters. This small family of Carnivores are remarkable in their ecological and social diversity. Although Hyenas can be defined as Carnivores with jaws that can crush bones and teeth, They cannot be generalized as a group.
For example, Aardwolves of Africa are Hyenas that have specialized in eating Termites. While Aardwolf eats only Termites, Spotted Hyena challenges Lion for her kill. Striped Hyena scavenges but also eats fruit and insects. Meanwhile Brown Hyena scavenges and feeds on melons and ostrich eggs. Because of their eating habits, Hyenas produce the riches milk of carnivores.
Hyenas demonstrates the rich diversity of societies. Brown Hyenas live in a small society where the Natal Mothers will nurse Each Other’s Young. Meanwhile, Aardwolves live in monogamous pairs. While Striped Hyena lives only in a clan of a Female and several Males, Spotted Hyenas live in large female dominated Clans.
But, people only see Hyenas as one thing - vicious laughing scavengers. In Africa, legends of Were-hyenas abound. In Mali, They hunt people, Meanwhile in Ethiopia, people who were hereditary blacksmiths (known as bouda) became Were-hyenas at night to rob graves.
Hyenas teach us an important lesson of overgeneralization. This diverse group has became lumped together and then transformed into terrifying Were-hyenas. People need to look beyond first impressions to find the truth.
Wisdom of the Hyena Family Includes:
Finding the Truth
Embracing Diversity
Finding Your Place
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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008
From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:
Finding Your Animal Teachers
Animals For Everyone: Mammals
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