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Hyodile
A Hyodile is an extinct hybrid of The Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) and The Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as The Laughing Hyena. The experiment to breed a hybrid of these two species was carried out by American scientists led by Dr. Sebastian DelaVantae. Although mostly unsuccessful, there were a couple of specimens created that managed to survive for a number of years.

Description
A Hyodile is a Hybrid of The Nile Crocodile and The Spotted Hyena. It is 8 feet (2.4m) in length and 4.5 feet (1.4m) from ground to shoulder. Most characteristics appear to come from The Spotted Hyena. It's fur is brown with a black strip down its back and black spots over the side of its body. It has a long snout lined with sharp teeth at the front followed by bone crushing molars toward the back. Hyodiles eyes are a rich orange giving a very striking appearance.

The Experiment
In 2005, a team of American scientists, led by Dr. Sebastian DelaVantae, began trials to see if it was possible to create a creature from the two animals. The team of scientists ran into problems straight away, as described in the book 'The Hyodile Experiment' by Professor Stephanie Griffiths.

Difficulties were around every corner for the team. Dr. DelaVantae understood the problems that came with trying to create an animal from two very different species but was unflinching in his resolve after the failure of earlier attempts. "Trying to breed two mammals will create enough difficulties but when attempting to create a half mammal, half reptile the complications are unending. But, as a scientist, you musn't give in at the first genetic hurdle".

The main problem that was in front of the team was trying to create a fully functioning creature from a warm-blooded and a cold-blooded animal. As these differences affect how the animal lives, the team set about trying to solve the problem. After months of tests and trials the team finally found that the only way they could overcome this complication was to just do nothing. They discovered that in each fertilised egg, as with every life, each was different and that occasionally the warm blooded gene would win the genetic battle. These eggs would go on to be the surviving and only specimens of Hyodiles.

In early 2006, after just under 3 months, 4 seperate Hyodile young were born, 3 females and a male. They were named Olivia, Ruby, Layla and Seb after Dr. DelaVantae and a number of the team.

Controversy
Their was a great amount of anger

Size and Growth
When born Hyodiles are no more than 30cm long but quickly begin growing to their full size. Once they reach maturity, which is at the age of 2, they stand at 4.5 feet (1.4m) and are 8 feet (2.4m) in length. Although it takes 2 years to grow fully, it only takes 6 months for a Hyodile to reach half of its full size. In Prof. S. Griffiths book, she describes meeting the creatures shortly after birth and after 2 years.

Having seen these creatures as small puppies it was hard to believe that they had grown into such beasts and I say that only in reference to their size. They had grown so much that i could hardly believe they were the same little pups i had seen 2 years before. Now they had piercing orange eyes, a huge snout lined with monstrous teeth and were enormous.

It is thought to reach such sizes because of the crocodile genes. However, it is not understood why it does not take on other characteristics such as low stance and shorter legs.

Reproduction and Lifespan
Not much can be said as to reproduction as it is not something that could be assertained from the breeding of the creatures. All 4 specimens were born sterile and so mating was not witnessed. It is thought that the male would not have any involvement in the birth or development of the young. This is believed due to the behavoir of Seb, the male Hyodile, once he reached maturity.

"Seb has begun to show signs of a lone animal. He has become confrontational with the females when reintroduced to them. While the females tend to hunt together, Seb chooses to do it alone, even trying to scavenge what the Females have brought down on occasion. We believe that if introduced to the wild, Seb and other male Hyodiles would be nomadic, while the females appear to stick together and would most likely do so in the wild." -Dr. Sam Briggs' Journal, a member of the scientific team.

The 4 Hyodile's that were born all died around the age of 3 in 2009. Seb died first followed by Olivia, Layla and eventually Ruby. It is thought that due to the differences in genetic make-up and biology, these creatures couldn't continue for long after 3 because of the stress put on the body of having to live with several different advantages and disadvantages of each creature.