Rock Hyraxes: 'Little brothers of the elephant' born
- Published
Rock Hyraxes may look like guinea pigs – but in fact they are one of the closest living relatives of the elephant.
They have a remarkable genetic link to the elephant, similar toes, teeth and skull structures, and also have two large continually growing incisors, which are similar to an elephant’s tusks
The tiny babies weighed just a few ounces when they were born on 20 July.
Rock hyraxes are native to Africa but can also be found along the coast of the Arabian Peninsula and in Israel, where they are protected by law.
As you may have guessed, they live in rocky terrain, and look for shelter and protection in rugged outcrops or cliffs.