Hyenas hunt the same way that dogs hunt. They chase their prey (sometimes for several miles) until the prey animals get tired and stop running. Then the hyenas tear into the belly or legs of their prey and pull it to the ground. Like dogs, hyenas begin to devour their prey while it is still alive. Although this is a gruesome way to eat, it is very inefficient for a hyena to waste its time killing its prey when there may be a higher-ranking hyena or a lion nearby who would be very happy to take possession of the kill.