striped hyenas are nomadic, solitary hunters, though they gather into small ‘ clans ’ to scavenge carrion || hyenas can digest parts of prey that other animals cannot || they chase their prey until they overpower it by injuring it, often by ripping apart internal organs || hyenas are nocturnal || they compete with various other predators, but are not prey themselves || when attacked, hyenas feign death, though they have also been known to stand their ground in disputes over food || a hyena’s hind legs are much shorter than their forelegs, which gives them a distinctive, limping gait; but hyenas are actually very graceful & agile || striped hyenas have been known to steal crops || striped hyenas tend to be quiet, but they have a distinctive — yet rare — cackling howl || legends surrounding hyenas claim that they eat children, and that they are grave-robbers || in some cultures the heart of a hyena is eaten for courage.