taxonomy

There are four hyena species in three genera.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Superfamily: Feliodea/Aeluroidea
Family: Hyaenidae
Subfamily: Hyaenidae (includes Brown, Spotted & Striped)
Subfamily: Protelinae (Aardwolf)

The suborder, Feliformia, includes hyenas, and also the true cats, mongooses, civets, and related taxa. Shared characteristics of this suborder include the possession of four carnassial teeth in the front of the jaw, and the formation of the auditory bullae (bony capsules in the middle and inner ear). The name Feliformia means 'cat-like' carnivores.

The name of the Hyena itself comes from the Greek hyaina, meaning 'swine,' though of course they are not part of that family and are not closely related in anyway. Some think this comes from the bristly mane of the hyena, which may resemble to some the bristly mane of a wild hog.