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Procavia capensis
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.
Serengeti
Hanging out close around the picnic area in the hopes of a free lunch!
16 Comments
Thanks Courtney!
Super cute.
How interesting! There is certainly more to these guys than meets the eye! :)
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
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.
Very cool. Looks like they let you get very close or you have a big lens?
Haha you're right. When I saw the thumbnail I thought they were Capybaras.
You have to admit they do look more like guinea pigs than elephants though!
Not rodent at all!
Just read up on them - their closest living relatives are the elephants & the manatees!
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!
You're right Carolina, they're not rodents.
I think they are not rodents, are they?
:D
Thats the one - rock hyrax! Thanks Carolina!
Hyrax?