The aardwolf (Proteles cristata) is a small, insectivorous mammal, native to East Africa and Southern Africa. Its name means "earth wolf" in the Afrikaans / Dutch language. It is also called "maanhaar jackal" (Literally "mane jackal" in Afrikaans) or civet hyena, based on the secretions reminiscent of civets from their anal glands. The aardwolf is in the same family as the hyenas.