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{{otheruses4|the species of animal|fictional characters named Hyena|Hyena (comics)}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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| name = Hyenas |
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| fossil_range = Early [[Miocene]] to Recent |
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| image = Crocuta-hejda.jpg |
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| image_width = 250px |
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| image_caption = [[Spotted Hyena]] |
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| regnum = [[Animalia]] |
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| phylum = [[Chordata]] |
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia |
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| ordo = [[Carnivora]] |
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| subordo = [[Feliformia]] |
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| familia = '''Hyaenidae''' |
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| familia_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1821 |
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| subdivision_ranks = [[Subfamilies]] and [[Genus|Genera]] |
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| subdivision = |
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*[[Hyaeninae]] |
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**''[[Spotted Hyena|Crocuta]]'' |
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**''[[Striped Hyena|Hyaena]]'' |
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**''[[Brown Hyena|Parahyaena]]'' |
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*[[Protelinae]] |
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**''[[Aardwolf|Proteles]]'' |
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| synonyms = |
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*Protelidae <small>Flower, 1869</small> |
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}} |
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The '''Hyaenidae''' is a [[mammal]]ian family of order [[Carnivora]]. The Hyaenidae family, native to both [[Africa]]n and [[Asia]]n continents, is divided into the "true hyenas" ([[Striped Hyena|Striped]] and [[Brown Hyena|Brown]] hyenas, along with ''Crocuta'', the [[Spotted Hyena]]) and the [[Aardwolf]] (subfamily Protelinae). |
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===Evolution=== |
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[[Image:Hyaena eximia head.jpg|thumb|Skull of ''Hyaena eximia''.]] |
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[[Image:Hyaena eximia jaw.jpg|thumb|Lower jaw of ''Hyaena eximia''.]] |
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Hyenas are thought to have originated 22 million years ago from arboreal ancestors bearing similarities to the modern [[Banded Palm Civet]]. ''Plioviverrops'', one of the earliest hyenas, was a lithe [[civet]]-like creature which inhabited [[Eurasia]] 20-22 million years ago. Details from the middle ear and dental structure marked it as a primitive hyena. This genus proved successful, its descendants flourishing with more pointed [[jowls]] and racier legs, much as the [[Canidae]] had done in [[North America]]. Fifteen million years ago, dog-like hyenas flourished, with 30 different species being identified. Unlike some of their modern descendants, these hyenas were not specialized bone-crushers, but were more nimble, wolf-like animals. The dog-like hyenas had canid-like molars, allowing them to supplement their carnivorous diet with vegetation and invertebrates.<ref name="CLAW">{{cite book | author= Macdonald, David | title=The Velvet Claw | year=1992 | pages= 256 | id= ISBN 0563208449 }}</ref> |
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Five to seven million years ago, the dog-like hyenas were outcompeted by canids traveling from North America to Eurasia via the [[Bering land bridge]]. The ancestral aardwolves survived by having adapted themselves to an insectivorous diet to which few canids had specialized. Some hyenas began evolving bone crushing teeth in order to avoid competing with the canids, resulting in the hyenas eventually outcompeting a family of similarly built bone crushers called "percrocutoids". The percrocutoids became extinct 7 million years ago, coinciding exactly with the rise of bone crushing hyena species. Unlike the canids who flourished in the newly colonized Eurasian continent, only one hyena species, the [[cheetah]]-like ''[[Chasmaporthetes]]'' managed to cross to North America. It went extinct 1.5 million years ago.<ref name="CLAW"/> |
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The peak diversity of the Hyenidae was during the [[Pleistocene]], with 4 genera and 9 species of hyena.<ref name="AP">{{cite web | url = http://www.lioncrusher.com/family.asp?family=Hyaenidae | title = Hyaenidae | work = | publisher = | accessdate = 2007-05-31}}</ref> The bone crushing hyenas became the Old World's dominant scavengers, managing to take advantage of the amount of meat left over from the kills of sabre-toothed cats. One such species was ''[[Pachycrocuta]]'', a 200 kg (440 lb) mega-scavenger that could crush [[elephant]] bones.<ref name="CLAW"/> As the sabre-toothed cats began to die out and be replaced by short-fanged felids which were more efficient eaters, more hyenas began to hunt for themselves and began evolving into new species, the modern spotted hyena being among them.<ref name="Lionart">{{cite book | author = Denis-Huot, Christine & Denis-Huot, Michel | title = The Art of being a Lion | year = 2003 | pages = pp.224 | id = ISBN 158663707X}}</ref> |
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==Appearance & Biology== |
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[[Image:Striped Hyena.jpg|250px|thumb|left|[[Striped Hyena]], ''Hyaena hyaena'']] |
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Although hyenas bear some physical resemblance to [[canid]]s, they make up a separate [[biological family]] that is most closely related to [[Herpestidae]] (the family of [[mongoose]]s and [[meerkat]]s), thereby falling within the [[Feliformia]]. All species have a distinctly bear-like gait due to their front legs being longer than their back legs. The [[Aardwolf]], Striped Hyena and Brown Hyena have striped pelts and manes lining the top of their necks which erect when frightened. The Spotted Hyena's fur is considerably shorter and (of course) spotted rather than striped. Unlike other species, its mane is reversed forwards. Spotted hyenas have a strong bite proportional to their size, but the view that they have the strongest bite is a myth; and a number of other animals (including the [[Tasmanian devil]]) are proportionately stronger.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/ancient/AncientRepublish_1336220.htm Ancient Worlds News - Marsupial has the deadliest bite - 04/04/2005<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=Wroe2005>{{cite journal | author = Wroe, S, McHenry, C, and Thomason, J. | year = 2005 | title = Bite club: comparative bite force in big biting mammals and the prediction of predatory behaviour in fossil taxa. | journal = Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences | volume = 272 | pages = 619-625}}</ref> |
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Spotted Hyenas and, to a lesser extent, Striped and Brown Hyenas, have powerful [[carnassial]] teeth adapted for cutting flesh and crushing [[premolar]]s for crushing bone. The Aardwolf has greatly reduced cheek teeth, that are sometimes absent in the adult, but otherwise has the same dentition as the other three species.<ref name=EoM>{{cite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= Richardson, Philip K.R. & Bearder, Simon|year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 154-159|isbn= 0-87196-871-1}}</ref> The [[dentition|dental formula]] for all hyena species is:{{dentition2|3.1.4.1|3.1.3.1}} |
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[[Image:Parahyaena brunnea 3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Brown Hyena]] ''Parahyaena brunnea''.]] Like [[felids]], hyenas lack the rearword molars of canids and vivverids. By organising their teeth so that the bone crushing premolars do not interfere with the meat slicing carnassials to the rear, hyenas can crush bone without blunting the carnassial's blades.<ref name="CLAW"/> |
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Hyenas are highly intelligent animals, and some scientists claim they are of equal intelligence to certain [[ape]]s.<ref>Said by biologist Jeff Corwin, in an episode of "The Jeff Corwin Experience" concentrating on spotted hyenas</ref> One indication of hyena intelligence is that they will move their kills closer to each other to protect them from [[scavenger]]s; another indication is their strategic hunting methods.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lind |first=Hans |title= "Bogen om Dyrepsykologi"}}</ref> |
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The majority of hyena species show little sexual dimorphism, usually with males being only slightly larger than the females. The spotted hyena is an exception to this as females are larger than the males. One unusual feature of the spotted hyena is that females have an enlarged clitoris called a [[pseudo-penis]], demi-penis or sometimes mistakenly referred to as a nanophallus. Female hyenas give birth, copulate, and urinate through their protruding genitalia, which stretches to allow the male penis to enter for copulation, and it also stretches during birth. The anatomical position of the genitalia gives females total sexual control over who is allowed to mate with them. Researchers originally thought that one cause of this characteristic of the genitals was androgens that were introduced to the fetus very early on in its development. However, it was discovered that when the androgens were held back from the fetus, the development of the female genitalia was not altered.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} |
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All species excrete an oily, yellow substance from their anal glands onto objects to mark their territories. When scent marking, the anal pouch is turned inside out, or everted. Hyenas also do this as a submissive posture to more dominant hyenas. Genitals, the anal area, and the anal glands are sniffed during greeting ceremonies in which each hyena lifts its leg and allows the other to sniff its anal sacks and genitals. All four species maintain latrines far from the main denning area where dung is deposited. Scent marking is also done by scraping the ground with the paws, which deposits scent from glands on the bottoms of the feet. Hyenas do not raise their legs when urinating as male or dominant canids do.<ref name="HYENA">{{cite book | author= Kruuk, Hans | title=The Spotted Hyena: A study of predation and social behaviour | year=1972 | pages= pp.335 | id= ISBN 0563208449 }}</ref> |
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Unlike the canids, hyenas do not regurgitate or carry back food for their young<ref name="HYENA"/>, due to the speed with which the food is digested.<ref name="CLAW"/> |
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==Habitat== |
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With the exception of the Striped Hyena which has been seen in the jungles of [[India]], all modern Hyena species generally reside in arid environments like African [[savannah]]s and deserts. |
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==Dietary habits== |
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[[Image:Hyena in masai mara.jpg|Hyena in [[Masai Mara]], [[Kenya]] is feeding on [[zebra]] carcass|250px|thumb]] |
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Except for the Aardwolf, all hyena species are efficient scavengers as well as hunters.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} They have extremely strong jaws in relation to their body size and have a very powerful digestive system with highly acidic fluids, making them capable of eating and digesting their entire prey, including skin, teeth, horns, bones and even hooves. Since they eat carrion, their digestive system deals very well with [[bacteria]]. |
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The spotted hyena is primarily a predator, unlike its cousins. Spotted hyenas are successful [[pack hunter]]s of small to large sized ungulates and are the most abundant carnivore on the African continent. |
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The Aardwolf is a specialised feeder of [[termites]], thus lacking the size and physical power of its cousins. |
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==In culture== |
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[[Image:Hyene amneville.JPG|250px|thumb|left|[[Spotted Hyena]], ''Crocuta crocuta'', inhabits most of [[Africa]].]] |
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Negative associations have generally stemmed from Hyenas' tendency to scavenge [[grave]]s for food. They are one of the few creatures naturally suited for this due to their ability to devour and digest every part of a carcass, including bone.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} As such, many associate hyenas with gluttony, uncleanliness, and cowardice. |
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Their haunting laughter-like calls inspired the idea in local cultures that they could imitate human voices and call their victims by name. Hyenas are also associated with [[divination]] and sometimes thought of as tools of [[demons]] and [[witches]]. In African folklore, witches and sorcerers are thought to ride hyenas, or even turn into them. |
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[[Africa]]n attitudes toward hyenas are little better than those held in the [[Western world|European cultures]]. The [[Bouda]] is a mythical tribe reputed to house members able to transform into hyenas.<ref name="AP">{{cite web | url = http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-17909878.html | title = The spotted hyena from Aristotle to the Lion King: reputation is everything - In the Company of Animals | work = Stephen E. Glickman | publisher = | accessdate = 2007-05-22}}</ref> Belief in ''"Werehyenas"'' is so entrenched within the traditional lore of the [[Bornu]] people of north-eastern [[Nigeria]], that their language even contains a special word ''bultungin'' which translates as "I change myself into a hyena".<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/thesevenclans/lycaon.html lycaon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Early naturalists thought hyenas were [[hermaphrodite]]s or commonly practiced [[homosexuality]], largely due to the female [[spotted hyena#Reproduction|spotted hyena]]'s unique [[urogenital system]]. According to early writings such as Ovid's ''Metamorphoses'' and the ''Physiologus'', the hyena continually changed its sex and nature from male to female and back again. In ''[[Paedagogus]]'', Clement of Alexandria noted that the hyena (along with the [[hare]]) was "quite obsessed with sexual intercourse." Many Europeans associated the hyena with sexual deformity, prostitution, and deviant sexual behavior. |
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Hyenas have been used in animated movies many times, as well as having been rendered in live action films, commonly cast as hysterical and unhinged villains. Examples include those featured in the [[Disney]] [[animated film]] ''[[The Lion King]]'' who are called [[Shenzi, Banzai and Ed]], one ball-playing individual in ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]'', and many more shown in animated films. |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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<!--# G.W.B. Huntingford, ''The Galla of Ethiopia; The Kingdom of Kafa and Janjero'' (London: International African Institute, 1955), p. 126.--> |
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== See also == |
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* [[Crocotta]] |
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* [[Hyena butter]] |
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==External links== |
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{{commonscat|Hyaenidae}} |
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{{wikispecies|Hyaenidae}} |
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*[http://meignorant.com/mouth-to-mouth_wild_hyena_feeding_harar_ethiopia The rite of mouth-to-mouth wild hyena feeding in Harar, Ethiopia] |
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*[http://www.hyaenidae.org IUCN Conservation Union Hyaendiae Specialist Group] |
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*[http://www.awf.org/wildlives/141 Hyena: Wildlife summary from the African Wildlife Foundation] |
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*[http://www.wearesites.com/Personal/Hyenas/ Robin M. Weare's Hyena pages] |
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*[http://blindftp.exis.net/~spook/hyenatxt.html Excerpt about hyenas] from Richard D. Estes's "The Safari Companion" (ISBN 1-890132-44-6) |
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*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=8391165&Dopt=Citation A mechanism for virilization of female spotted hyenas in utero] |
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*[http://www.wearesites.com/Personal/Hyenas/hy_evolution.php evolution of the family] |
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*[http://www.current-biology.com/content/article/fulltext?uid=PIIS0960982206023165 Quick Guide - Spotted hyena (deals with intelligence and social interaction) ] |
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*[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/science/04hyen.html?_r=1&8dpc&oref=slogin Hyenas- Sociable and Smart] |
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{{Carnivora}} |
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{{Hyaenidae nav}} |
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[[Category:Hyenas| ]] |
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[[Category:Mammals of Africa]] |
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[[Category:Megafauna of Africa]] |
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[[als:Hyäne]] |
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[[ar:ضبع]] |
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[[bn:হায়েনা]] |
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[[ca:Hiena]] |
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[[cs:Hyenovití]] |
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[[da:Hyæner]] |
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[[de:Hyänen]] |
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[[es:Hyaenidae]] |
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[[fa:کفتار]] |
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[[fr:Hyaenidae]] |
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[[gl:Hiena]] |
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[[ko:하이에나]] |
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[[hr:Hijene]] |
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[[io:Hieno]] |
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[[id:Hyena]] |
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[[it:Hyaenidae]] |
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[[he:צבועיים]] |
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[[ka:აფთარი]] |
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[[lt:Hieniniai]] |
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[[hu:Hiénafélék]] |
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[[nl:Hyena's]] |
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[[ja:ハイエナ]] |
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[[no:Hyenefamilien]] |
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[[nn:Hyene]] |
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[[pl:Hienowate]] |
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[[pt:Hienídeo]] |
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[[ro:Hyaenidae]] |
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[[ru:Гиена]] |
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[[scn:Hyaenidae]] |
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[[simple:Hyena]] |
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[[sr:Хијена]] |
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[[fi:Hyeenat]] |
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[[sv:Hyenor]] |
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[[vi:Linh cẩu]] |
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[[tr:Sırtlangiller]] |
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[[zh:鬣狗]] |
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