Here's why:
* Evolutionary History: Hyenas belong to the order Carnivora, within the suborder Feliformia. This means they share a common ancestor with cats, while dogs belong to the suborder Caniformia.
* Physical Features: While hyenas share some features with dogs, like their long legs and powerful jaws, they also have distinct cat-like traits. These include:
* Retractible claws: Like cats, hyenas have retractable claws, which helps them maintain their sharpness. Dogs, on the other hand, have non-retractable claws.
* Bone-crushing teeth: Hyenas have specialized teeth for crushing bones, which is a characteristic shared with cats.
* Vocalization: Hyenas communicate with a variety of vocalizations, including a chilling "laughing" sound, which is more similar to cat vocalizations than dog barks.
However: It's important to note that hyenas have evolved to occupy a unique ecological niche, developing adaptations that distinguish them from both cats and dogs.
Therefore, while hyenas are more closely related to cats, they have developed their own distinct features that make them a unique and fascinating species.