Can the elephant's relative fly and walk on walls?

Speaking of the hyrax, friends who like animals should be familiar with it.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not familiar with it. After reading this article, you’ll know how powerful it is. Image: Gerhard Theron / Biodiversity Explorer

With big eyes, a short tail, fluffy fur, a round body, and a mouth that is always slightly upturned, it is no less adorable than the quokka , a popular cute online celebrity. This warm little animal has many surprising secrets. After reading this article, your initial impression of it will definitely be overturned.

A rabbit with long hooves?

Hyraxes are named for their rabbit-like appearance and hoof-like feet. They belong to a separate taxon, the order Hyraxes. There are four species of hyraxes in the world: rock hyrax (Procavia capensis), yellow rock hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei), southern tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus), and western tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis).

Today's protagonist is the diurnal rock hyrax. Image: alexkant / ZooChat

Rock hyrax and yellow rock hyrax are diurnal animals that move in groups and live in rocky caves. The former is found in most of Africa and parts of the Middle East, while the latter is found in parts of East Africa, Congo, and Angola. Although they mostly live in rocky environments, both species of hyrax occasionally forage for food in trees.

Yellow-spotted rock hyrax. Image source see watermark

Both species of tree hyrax are usually nocturnal animals , active alone or in small groups, mostly living in forests. The former is distributed in parts of eastern and southern Africa, and the latter is distributed in parts of central Africa.

Southern tree hyrax eating leaves. Image source see watermark

The body color of hyrax is mostly brown-gray, but it varies slightly depending on the environment and age it lives in. Hyrax living in a humid environment have dark brown fur, while hyrax living in a dry desert environment have light gray fur.

Brown-gray hair. Image: Zhang Fan

Its relative is...the elephant!

What are the animals most closely related to the hyrax? I don't think you would have guessed it, but it would be the elephants of the order Proboscidea , and the manatees and dugongs of the order Sirenia . It's really surprising that such hugely different animals are actually relatives. The hyrax and these animals have a common ancestor, and in the process of evolution this ancestor evolved in different directions. One group gradually became larger and adapted to aquatic life, forming the current manatees and dugongs. One group became even larger, forming today's elephants. Another group gradually became smaller, forming today's hyrax.

“My mother told me that we and the elephants were one family.” Photo: animalphotos.deviantart.com

In fact, if you look closely at the hyrax, you will find that it has many features that are very similar to those of elephants. For example, their incisors are long tusks that grow continuously, just like elephants, but the tusks of hyrax do not protrude from their mouths. In addition, their testicles are also located in the abdominal cavity, just like elephants. Their toes are also like those of African savanna elephants, with four toes on the front feet and three toes on the back feet, and the nails on the toes are also flat and hoof-like. I think if they were in human society, the hyrax would definitely brag about having a powerful relative.

Come on, count your toes. Hey, where are you looking? Photo: Thomas / walkthewilderness.net

Smart and helpful partners

Although the rock hyrax and the yellow-spotted rock hyrax are two different species, in most cases, they often share the same activity area, especially when sunbathing on the rocks, which is often when they are most vulnerable to predators. Usually, when a group of hyraxes are resting or foraging, there will often be one or more standing guard hyraxes who are always vigilant, and at the slightest sign of trouble, they will immediately make a sharp call to notify other companions to run away immediately.

They travel together in large groups. Photo: Arikk / wikipedia

During the breeding season, the newly added young hyraxes are relatively slow and face greater danger. At this time, the two hyrax groups often mix , increasing the number of individuals and the number of eyes that can detect predators, making it easier for themselves and their offspring to survive during special periods. When the breeding season ends, such mixed groups will be greatly reduced. In addition, studies have shown that the two hyraxes will take care of each other's cubs and even live in common caves. But they will not hybridize because their sexual organs are very different.

The most powerful man among beasts

The sexual behavior of hyrax is the most amazing thing. First of all, their sexual organs are very special. The length of the penis of hyrax is amazing. When erect, it can reach more than 6cm. You should know that their whole body length is only about 30-40cm, which means that the length of the penis is one-fifth of the body , equivalent to the chest. As an animal walking on four limbs on the ground, this ratio is almost the highest among mammals.

The indescribable rock hyrax. See the watermark for the source of the picture

Secondly, because the penis sizes and shapes of different hyraxes are different, there is a certain reproductive isolation, which is why they can mix in groups without interbreeding .

In addition, when mating, the hyrax displays extremely strong strength, and sometimes the female cannot resist and is even pushed aside.

Sound with information

Rock hyraxes are group animals, usually consisting of an adult male leader, several adult females, some subordinate adult males, and some sub-adults. The leader male communicates with the entire group through calls and conveys information to males outside the group.

Open your throat. Image: Zhang Fan

Studies have shown that their calls are rich in important information, such as age, weight, social status, physical condition, hormone levels, etc., and these independent information are included in the calls in a continuous manner . If an intruder breaks in, the male hyrax will increase the complexity and duration of the call. Higher-ranking males tend to like to call more, but the energy consumption is not much. By calling, they not only solve the problem but also avoid unnecessary losses. It can be said to be a smart way of survival. Gentlemen use their mouths instead of their hands. They are really polite little animals.

Some little tricks

Hyraxes have some primitive mammalian characteristics, such as poor temperature regulation mechanisms , which often need to be compensated by behaviors, such as huddling together for warmth or relying on the sun's heat to warm the body. Usually hyraxes spend most of the day resting to reduce unnecessary heat loss.

"Boss, my thermoregulation is not working well. I need to rest more." Photo: Anthony Steele / wikipedia

The harsh life has made the hyrax evolve a different adaptation mechanism. Their soles are soft and smooth , with abundant glands on them that can secrete fluid to keep them moist. The middle of the sole is concave and the surrounding is convex. When walking on steep rocks, this special structure plus the moisture forms a natural vacuum device , allowing the hyrax to walk freely in dangerous environments.

No matter what the circumstances, keep smiling. Photo: Johan van Rensburg / Biodiversity Explorer

In addition, their kidneys can produce highly concentrated urine , which is very important for hares living in an environment with insufficient water.

"Even if I'm fat... I'm... a flexible fat man..." See watermark for image source

There is an exposed area on the back of the hyrax, under the skin are glands. When it is frightened, the hair around the glands will stand up. These glands secrete substances that can be used to mark territory .

The crucial little guy

As food for many animals in their distribution area, hyraxes play a vital role in the ecosystem. The current population is still good, but the situation in some areas is not optimistic, so we still need to protect them and let these cute little animals continue to survive.

Please treat the little ones well. See the watermark for the source of the picture

After reading the above content, I believe you have a deeper understanding of hyrax. The small hyrax actually has so many unique abilities and skills, which are no less than their larger relatives. I wonder if they will smile at each other when they meet in the African savannah?

In short, although it is called "rabbit", the hyrax is not a rabbit. (Among those strange guys, there is one who is actually a rabbit.) Illustration: Winged Wolf Elang

Author: He Changhuan

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