A hyena is a dog-like carnivorous mammal that lives in Africa and parts of Asia, known for its powerful jaws, scavenging habits, and distinctive laughing call. Despite their appearance, hyenas are actually more closely related to cats than to dogs.

Spotted hyenas, the most common type, are remarkable hunters and scavengers with jaws strong enough to crush bones that other predators leave behind. They live in large social groups called clans that can include up to 80 members, led by females who are larger and more dominant than males. While lions often get credit for kills on the African savanna, hyenas actually do most of their own hunting and frequently have their meals stolen by lions.

The “laughing” sound that gives hyenas their reputation is actually a form of communication. A hyena might make this high-pitched giggling noise when excited, frustrated, or nervous, especially during feeding time when the clan gathers around food. The sound can be eerie to human ears, which is why hyenas often appear as villains in movies and stories, though in reality they're intelligent, social animals that play an important role in their ecosystem by cleaning up carcasses and controlling prey populations.