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We spotted a rare albino hyrax. Who are hyraxes?

Hyraxes are small mammals that often live around rocks and cliffs. Despite their size, they have a surprising evolutionary connection to elephants.

We spotted a rare albino hyrax. Who are hyraxes?

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Detailed answer

Hyraxes may look like oversized rodents, but they are not rodents. They belong to a different mammal group and are often mentioned because their distant relatives include elephants and manatees.

Rock hyraxes live around rocky areas, cliffs, and kopjes, where they sun themselves and use crevices for shelter. Albino individuals are rare because pale coloring can make wildlife more visible to predators.

On safari, hyraxes are worth watching because their alarm calls, social behavior, and rocky habitats are part of the same ecosystem used by predators and birds of prey.

Quick planning notes

  • Check rocks, cliffs, and kopjes for hyrax colonies
  • Albino wildlife is rare and should not be disturbed
  • Listen for loud calls around rocky habitat
  • Watch for predators that also use kopjes

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