Hyenas or
hyaenas (from
Greek ὕαινα
hýaina) are the animals of the family
Hyaenidae of the
feliform suborder of the
Carnivora. With only four extant species, it is the fifth-smallest
biological family in the Carnivora, and one of the smallest in the class
Mammalia. Despite their low diversity, hyenas are unique and vital components of most
African ecosystems.