The celluloid rise to fame of the giant Hyaena

Many distinguished researchers and scientists believe that the largest predatory mammal to set foot on earth was a giant hyaena like creature. The rest of the evidence is left to history, imagination and the special effects of computer animation software. Walking tall in the afterglow of the popularity of the dinosaurs is a 16ft hyena-like creature with 3ft-long jaws.

The giant hyaena is BBCs follow-up to the popular serial 'Walking with Dinosaurs'. This giant hyaena which was almost as big as tyrannosaurus rex, lived all over Asia for millions of years. Like the hyaenas of today, the giant hyaena too fed on carrion. Called andrewsarchus, this giant hyaena has been living in the shadow of the dinosaur hunters. The first fossils of this magnificent creature was discovered in Mongolia. The age of the fossil is estimated at 40 million years. Quite interestingly Andrewsarchus belongs to the same animal family known as mesonychids which, has also given rise to whales and dolphins.