Hyenas and aardwolf

Hyenas are "cat-like" carnivorans that are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems. These are primarily nocturnal animals but sometimes venture from their lairs in the early-morning hours. With the exception of the highly social Spotted hyena, hyenas are generally not gregarious animals, though they may live in family groups and congregate at kills. Hyenas are cursorial hunters that catch prey with their teeth rather than claws. They eat food quickly and may store it, and their calloused feet with large, blunt, nonretractable claws are adapted for running and making sharp turns. Spotted hyenas may kill as many as 95% of the animals they eat, while Striped hyenas are largely scavengers. The aardwolf is primarily an insectivore and specializes in feeding on termites. It consumes them by licking them up with its long, broad tongue. An aardwolf can eat 300,000 termites on a single outing. When attacked by lions or dogs, Striped and Brown hyenas will feign death, though the Spotted hyena will defend itself ferociously. Generally, hyenas are able to drive off larger predators, like lions, from their kills, despite having a reputation in popular culture for being cowardly.