How do you defend yourself against a hyena?

A common mistake is that they are related to dogs, they're not. Instead they are a family all of their own. However it's an understandable mistake when you consider they're only means of defense is a pack like attitude and an incredibly powerful jaw wielding all those teeth! If attacked by another animals (this will usually be a lion or a human) the hyena, or hyeana depending on what part of the world you're from, emits the famous 'laughter' noise. They have several other noises that are made in excitement and/or are used to communicate with others in the pack. It's said that others can hear them up to three miles away. So it's a handy way to call for help! The powerful jaw I mentioned is evident when the robust mammal decides to take down a full-grown topi antelope by its jaws alone. The topi will leap, lunge and spin in a effort to throw off its captor. This effort is futile however, because a fully grown hyena can support its own weight solely by its jaws. And if all else fails, they can run up to 30miles an hour! If you want to know about defending yourself AGAINST a hyena, copy and paste the link below into your browser for a true life story from a woman who survived such an attack http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/1870/edition_id/28/format/html/displaystory.html It seems the best defense (i'm such an animal person so I hate saying this) is to shoot them if necessary. If researching this animal, avoid confusion between the 4different types of hyena. Some are scavengers and will only eat meat, some our primarily vegetarian or eat only insects, others however will hunt and kill what ever they can get. I think if you have an interest you should definitely look them up. The are intelligent and have their own society, very fascinating stuff!