The Tree Hyrax is at ease in the trees.
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THE ORDER HYRACOIDEA:
The hyrax, or dassie, is an odd mammal that superficially resembles a guinea pig and is about the size of a rabbit. It is neither, however, but is more closely related to elephants, manatees, and the aardvark. They can be traced through fossils to the Eocene epoch about 50,000,000 years ago.
Hyraxes are found in Africa and along the Red Sea on the Arabian peninsula. They live in all types of habitats, as seen in the names of the Tree Hyrax and the Rock Hyrax. There are five species which make up the order Hyracoidea, although other biologists assume four species. Stay tuned for further announcements. But to live in these different environments the Hyrax has developed glands in the soles of their feet that secret a substance allowing them to maintain a firm grip in the rocks and trees where they live much like the traction suction cups provide.
Hyraxes have a short, rather blunt head, small ears, and a pair of widely separated, protruding, and pointed upper incisors which grow continuously from the base. In lieu of canine teeth is a wide gap, similar to that in rodents and lagomorphs.
Hyraxes live in colonies of from five up to eighty individuals, and are herbivorous in diet. They live to an about ten years of age, but have been known to top fourteen years of age. They usually live in rock crevices, but are not averse to inhabit the burrows of other animals. They have an unusually large vocal range, with grunts, howls and squeaks that confound and startle newcomers to Africa's wildlife.
Check out the Rock and Tree Hyraxes in America Zoo.
