WERTHEIMER: That is Ed, the hyena from Disney's "Lion King." Well, the real hyena laugh actually sounds a lot like that. (Soundbite of hyena laughing) ...

The spotted hyena is who always seems to be laughing at jokes. The other species, Aardwolf, striped hyena and the brown hyena, cannot laugh but have other distinct vocalization sounds.

It cracked me up, and so I mentioned it. “Is it okay if my inner hyena hollers if I appear properly sympathetic on the outside?” I queried meekly, having a teenager myself. She laughed.

A laughing hyena communicates their social rank and age, helping them negotiate for their fair share of a meal, or to tell a peer to back off. Spotted hyenas produce plenty further vocalizations, too.

How the Hyenas got their name: “Rhythm” Rich Gilmore: This story gives homage to the old drummer and old bassist. We were all at Lakeside, if you can imagine that, on a Friday night. The old ...