Jackals are canids — members of the dog family, related to wolves and foxes. Hyenas are not dogs at all: they belong to their own family, Hyaenidae, whose closest relatives are cats, mongooses and civets. Hyenas look dog-like through convergent evolution rather than kinship.
The core difference
They look similar and share habitats, which hides a large gap in the family tree.
- jackal — family Canidae, alongside wolves, foxes and domestic dogs. Several species across Africa and Eurasia.
- hyena — family Hyaenidae, within the cat-like branch of carnivores. Four species.
Why hyenas look like dogs
Convergent evolution: similar pressures produce similar shapes. Running down prey over distance favours long legs and a deep chest whatever your ancestry. Genetically, a hyena is closer to a mongoose than to any dog.
Correcting a common belief
Spotted hyenas are not primarily scavengers. They are effective hunters that kill a large share of what they eat, and in some areas lions scavenge from them more often than the reverse.
Frequently asked questions
Are hyenas dogs?
No. They belong to their own family and are more closely related to cats, mongooses and civets than to dogs.
Are jackals related to wolves?
Yes. Jackals are canids, in the same family as wolves, foxes and domestic dogs.
Do hyenas only scavenge?
No. Spotted hyenas are capable hunters and kill much of their own food; in some areas lions scavenge from them more than the other way round.