Rock Hyrax

Africa · mammal · surprising relatives

Lives on rocks. Rock hyraxes are perfectly built for scrambling across rocky hills and cliffs in Africa and the Middle East. Their padded feet work like suction cups to help them grip steep stone surfaces.

Tiny but mighty. These fuzzy animals weigh only 4 to 5 kilograms (about 9 to 11 pounds), with short ears and compact bodies. Despite their small size, they're surprisingly tough and can live up to 14 years in the wild.

Elephant cousins. Here's the wild part: rock hyraxes are actually more closely related to elephants and manatees than to rodents or rabbits, even though they look nothing alike. Scientists figured this out by studying their DNA.

Herd together safely. Rock hyraxes live in groups called colonies that can have up to 50 members. They stay close together, with some keeping watch while others rest or eat, which helps protect them from predators.

Chatty creatures. Rock hyraxes make lots of different sounds to communicate, including barks, squeaks, and chirps. These noises help them warn each other about danger or stay in touch within their group.