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Rock hyrax

Procavia capensis

Description:

The rock hyrax is one of the four living species of the order Hyracoidea, and the only living species in the genus Procavia. Like all hyraxes, it is a medium-sized (~4 kg) terrestrial mammal, superficially resembling a guinea pig with short ears and tail. The closest living relatives to hyraxes are the modern day elephants and sirenians.

Habitat:

Serengeti

Notes:

Hanging out close around the picnic area in the hopes of a free lunch!

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16 Comments

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Thanks Courtney!

CourtneyVerk
CourtneyVerk 12 years ago

Super cute.

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

How interesting! There is certainly more to these guys than meets the eye! :)

hg_williams3
hg_williams3 12 years ago

the first place I actually heard of these was in the bible a wise king observed at as one of the things that are little but wise. The hyrax is described as feeble but yet made its home in crags of mountains. I assumed it was like an oryx or type of mountain goat but when I looked I up I was really surprised

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

These guys were hanging around one of the picnic areas, presumably in the hope of picking up a free meal! They were originally right under the picnic benches but didn't hang around for long once they were noticed & everyone started taking photos of them. I guess they are pretty habituated to people now but are still naturally quite timid.

BillCarpenter
BillCarpenter 12 years ago

Very cool. Looks like they let you get very close or you have a big lens?

Carolina
Carolina 12 years ago

Haha you're right. When I saw the thumbnail I thought they were Capybaras.

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

You have to admit they do look more like guinea pigs than elephants though!

Carolina
Carolina 12 years ago

Not rodent at all!

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Just read up on them - their closest living relatives are the elephants & the manatees!

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Thanks guys! I will amend. I take copious notes on all my travels but for some reason I didn't make any on this species!

Dan Doucette
Dan Doucette 12 years ago

You're right Carolina, they're not rodents.

Carolina
Carolina 12 years ago

I think they are not rodents, are they?

Carolina
Carolina 12 years ago

:D

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Thats the one - rock hyrax! Thanks Carolina!

Carolina
Carolina 12 years ago

Hyrax?

KarenL
Spotted by
KarenL

Mara, Tanzania

Spotted on Oct 29, 2008
Submitted on Sep 7, 2011

Spotted for Mission

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