Hyenas are the most common meat-eaters in Africa. Amongst the four species of Hyenas: brown, spotted, striped, and the smaller and lesser-known aardwolf, the Brown Hyenas are the rarest. 

All hyenas have powerful jaws, large heads, and long front legs. Consequently, Hyenas can look similar to some larger dogs, but Hyenas are unrelated to dogs. Instead, they have their own unique family of mammals, the Hyaenidae. 

Hyenas are one of the world's most intelligent and socially sophisticated mammals. Hyenas have better social cooperation and problem-solving abilities than chimpanzees. Hyenas and lions hunt for the same food and sometimes compete, fighting over the same food. Hyenas can call out for other Hyenas' help when threatened.

Hyenas are highly adaptable and resilient animals that can thrive in various environments, from deserts to savannas. In this sense, they are symbols of adaptability and resilience and inspire us to be more flexible and resourceful in facing challenges.

Hyenas are often associated with night and darkness and symbolize human nature's shadow side. In this sense, Hyenas can represent the parts of ourselves that we prefer to keep hidden or repressed, such as our fears, doubts, or negative emotions.

Despite their reputation as scavengers and opportunists, Hyenas are skilled hunters that can take down prey much larger than themselves. In this sense, they symbolize courage, boldness, and determination and can inspire us to be more confident and assertive in pursuing our goals.

Despite their fearsome reputation, Hyenas can be playful and humorous, engaging in elaborate social interactions and vocalizations that seem almost like laughter. In this sense, they are symbols of humor, playfulness, and joy, reminding us to find pleasure in the simple things in life and not to take ourselves too seriously.

Hyenas are associated with gender fluidity and transformation. Female Hyenas are larger than males, which has led to them being seen as masculine or hermaphroditic.