[The picture is from Great Big Story, the copyright belongs to the original author]

Many people don't know hyraxes well. Animal lovers should know them. They are very cute. They have big rabbit-like eyes. They have short tails and soft fur. This fur makes you feel warm. At first look, hyraxes seem like rabbits. But they are not rabbit family. More surprising, their family includes elephants!

People once called hyraxes rock badgers. This name comes from Greek words. It means an animal like a shrew and mouse. They look like big rats or bunnies with short ears. But they are not rodent family. They are not insect-eater family. They are not rabbit family. Hyraxes have their own group. This group is called "Hyracoidea". New animal sorting shows their old family members. These include elephants and manatees. They come from ancient mammal groups.

New animal sorting does not just check looks. It looks more at DNA. Scientists compare genes between animals. They compare proteins and nucleic acids. This shows family links. For example, whale family has hippos. Hyrax family has elephants.

Hyraxes have many types. Now we know six kinds. These include rock hyraxes and yellow-spotted hyraxes. They like living in rocky areas and trees. These places are in Africa and the Middle East. They have short, round bodies. Their fur has many colors. Their ears are short. Their tails are hard to see. They look like rabbits or woodchucks. But they act more like small plant-eaters. They feel more like elephant family. Some live alone. Some live in groups. They are both cute and odd. Once, some hyraxes sat together on a rock. They seemed to hold a special "goodbye meeting". It was a funny sight.

Hyraxes are small. Their feet have tiny hoof-like parts. They climb rocks very well. But they share some traits with elephants. Their teeth are like rodent teeth. But they can break down plant fibers. Their feet have sweat glands. These make sticky fluid. This helps them stand on steep rocks. Their bodies have active myoglobin. This suggests their ancestors might have lived in water.

Scientists used DNA tests. They think the old ancestor of hyraxes, elephants, and manatees was a big animal like hyraxes. Later, some became small like today's hyraxes. Others adapted to water life. These became elephants and manatees. From genes, this idea seems right.

Hyrax fossils go back 37 million years. They first were in the Middle East. They were key plant-eaters in Africa. They lived with elephants and manatees. Later, new mammals appeared. Hyraxes lost their main place. But today, they still live across Africa and the Middle East.

[The picture is from Adumu Safaris, the copyright belongs to the original author]

Though small, hyraxes are clever. They work well together. In groups, some watch for danger. If they see threat, they make warning sounds. Other members run away fast. In baby-making season, hyraxes help care for each other's young. Hyraxes have unique habits. Male hyraxes have very big sex organs. This size is striking among mammals. Their mating is very intense. Males show great strength sometimes. Hyraxes talk well with sounds. Males use calls to tell things to the group. They can share their weight, age, and health. Their sounds also scare away strangers.

Hyraxes are small but survive well. They live in harsh places. Their small hoof-like feet help on rocks. They have some elephant-like traits. They digest plant fibers. Their feet make sticky fluid for rock climbing. Their bodies have active myoglobin. This may mean water ancestors.

About six hyrax types exist. These are rock hyraxes and yellow-spotted hyraxes. They live in rocks and trees in Africa and the Middle East. They are short and round. Their ears are short. Their tails are nearly gone. They act more like small plant-eaters. They have closer family ties with elephants. Some live alone, some in groups. They are cute and odd.

Hyraxes are small and climb rocks well. They have some elephant-like features. They digest plant fibers. Their feet make sticky fluid for rock grip. Their bodies have active myoglobin. Scientists think their shared ancestor with elephants and manatees was large. Some became small hyraxes. Some became elephants and manatees.

Hyrax fossils are 37 million years old from the Middle East. They were important plant-eaters but lost place later. Now they remain common in Africa and the Middle East.

They are smart and cooperative. They keep watch and care for young. Males have large sex organs and intense mating. They talk with sounds.

Hyraxes are small and climb well. They have elephant-like traits. Scientists' idea of their shared ancestor seems right.

[The picture is from Reddit,the copyright belongs to the original author]

Hyrax Care Guide:

Diet:

Rock hyraxes mainly eat plants, somewhat like mixed eaters. When rains come, they love grass because it's plenty. But in dry times, they eat more plant types. They eat even bad-smelling or toxic plants like moss and liverwort. These give needed food during drought.

Besides food, water matters much for them. They get some water from food. But you must give lots of fresh water daily. Dry season needs more care. Change water often to keep it clean. You can also give water-rich foods like vegetables or fruits. This helps their body water.

Breeding:

Hyraxes often breed in early summer. Female hyraxes carry babies about seven months. They have one to three young. Some females can have babies before age one. Male hyraxes usually lead up to 17 females. Lone males live near these female groups. This group style lets males control more breeding chances.

In breeding time, baby hyraxes move awkwardly and risk harm. Different hyrax groups often blend. This increases their numbers. It helps spot enemies better. This protects themselves and the young. After breeding, they blend less.

Behavior:

Rock hyraxes love lying on big rocks in the sun. They like this especially at dawn and dusk. They also face hunters like eagles, caracals, and leopards. To escape, hyraxes react very fast. They run away quickly.

Habitat:

Rock hyraxes live mostly in rocky lands of southern Africa. They like hiding in rock cracks or caves. They also climb trees well. They often stay near big trees by cliffs. They use these trees for safety from hunters.

Living Environment:

To keep rock hyraxes well, their home is key. They like quiet, hidden spots. They prefer areas with rocks, trees, and thick plants. So, best to give them a space like their wild home. You can place some rocks, caves, and climbing items in their area. Remember, hyraxes like warm weather. Keep their place warm and dry. If your area is cold, consider a heater.

Social Needs:

Rock hyraxes like company, especially males who lead female groups. So, if you keep them, have at least two or more. This stops loneliness. Males may fight over space. Give enough room to prevent clashes. If you have males and females, better to keep them apart. This is especially for young ones. It lowers stress.

Health Management:

Watch their health. Check their ears, eyes, and teeth often. Hyraxes' teeth grow non-stop. Give them hard plants or branches to chew. This stops overgrowth. Also, watch for parasites and skin problems. Take them for regular checks. Do deworming if needed.

Behavior Training:

Rock hyraxes are curious. With good training, they fit home life easier. Use food rewards for training. Teach them to pee in one spot. Teach them to eat on schedule. But they have strong wills. Be patient when training.

If hunters chase hyraxes, they don't run everywhere. The group stays together. They form a circle. They release gas toward the danger. On wide grasslands, you might see some separate trees. Tree hyraxes live there. They are a bit bigger than rock hyraxes. Also, you might find some rocks that seem to drop from the sky. These rocks are great for hyraxes to hide. They rest there. They even find food there.

Reference:

[1]SIYABONAAFRICA：“Rock Dassie”