Hyena

Hyenas are large carnivorous beasts found in the most barren areas of Kalimdor. Hyenas are pack hunters infamous for their cunning and their unnerving vocalizations. A favorite tactic is to send a few individuals against the foe’s front while the rest of the pack circles and attacks from the flanks or rear.

They are most dangerous when traveling in packs. Hyenas often have an ability to inflict dangerous diseases on those who fight them. Centaur hunters in the Barrens and Desolace often keep them as pets, while some members of the Scarlet Crusade use red hyenas as attack animals. Hyenas are skinnable. They are found in the Barrens, Desolace, Tanaris, Blasted Lands and Uldum. They also serve as mounts for Uldum's desert pygmies.

Notable hyenas

 * Giggler
 * Ravage
 * Snort the Heckler
 * Steelsnap

Types of hyenas

 * Striped hyena
 * The striped hyena is about 3 feet long and weighs about 120 pounds.
 * Hecklefang Hyena
 * Pesterhide Hyena
 * Dire hyena

As a hunter pet

 * While hyenas have a snaring ability, they are generally unpopular among hunters compared to stat-buffing wolves.

Trivia
Although they look similar to dogs, the hyena is more closely related to the family of mongooses and meerkats, which are "cat-like" carnivores.