Hyaena (Noun)
Meaning
Doglike nocturnal mammal of Africa and southern Asia that feeds chiefly on carrion.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The spotted hyaena is a scavenger that plays a vital role in cleaning up the savannah ecosystem.
- Hyaenas are often misunderstood as cowardly animals, but they are actually skilled hunters that can take down prey much larger than themselves.
- In the wild, hyaenas have been observed following lions and leopards to feed on the leftovers of their kills.
- The striped hyaena is the most widely distributed of the four hyaena species, found in a range of habitats from deserts to forests.
- Despite their reputation as thieves and scavengers, hyaenas are also skilled hunters that can bring down small antelopes and gazelles.