Rock+Hyrax


 * I think we all know what a guinea pig looks like. Am I right ladies and gentlemen. Well, imagine this guinea pig being medium in size with short ears and a long tail. When you get this combination of animal characteristics we get the Rock Hyrax. To be specific, the Rock Hyrax is a medium-sized (4kg) terrestrial animal. It is 12 inches at the shoulder and weighs 5 to 9 pounds. This tiny but mighty animal has stubby toes hooflike nails. There are four toes on each front foot and three on each back foot. The bottoms of their feet have a rubbery texture to assist in climbing steep rock surfaces and trees. These amazing creature have many flaws that make them very unique. **


 *  The Rock Hyrax is found across Africa and the Middle East, in habitats with rock crevices in which to escape from predators. In East Africa, they live at sea level and up to altitudes of over 14,000 feet and in habitats ranging from dry savanna to dense rainforest. Their yellowish colored fur helps them blend into their habitats to hide from their predators. Hyraxes are very adaptable animals. I mean if they can go from dense rainforests to the dry savanna then they will have make some major adjustments. Their diet consists of many plants and herbs because they are herbivorous. The animals that Hyraxes need to look out for include, leopards, pythons, large birds, servals, and civets. Like I said before these animals may be tiny but they sure are mighty to have predators such as these powerful and dangerous animals. **


 * Some other interesting facts about the Hyrax include, that they are most active in the morning and the evening. At these times you would see these animals feeding on their plants and grasses and adapting to their habitats. Also, the Rock Hyrax is said to be the elephants nearest living relative. I honestly can not imagine how a tiny little animal like the Rock Hyrax can be related to a huge enormous elephant. It just amazes me! There is just so much about the Rock Hyrax that seems so different from the average animal. You may not see it in it’s appearance, but if you really get to know about the behavior of this amazing animal then you will know what I’m talking about! **