Vertebrate Zoology - V. M. Konstantinov 2011

Chordates
Terrestrial, or Four-Legged, Vertebrates — Amniotes
Class Mammalia — Subclass Theria — Suborder Toothed Whales — Order Hyraxes

Hyraxes are a small group of mammals (11 species) that outwardly resemble tailless marmots (see Fig. 204). Their body length ranges from 30 to 60 cm. The coat is thick, consisting of coarse guard hairs and soft underfur, with a brownish-gray coloration. The front paws have four digits with flattened Nails resembling underdeveloped hooves. The hind paws have three digits.

The systematic position of hyraxes remains unclear; they may be closely related to proboscideans. They apparently originated During the first half of the Paleogene and Neogene. They inhabit mountainous, flat, and forested areas, with some species adept at climbing trees and nearly vertical cliffs. Herbivorous, they are distributed across the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.



Last update: 13/08/2026

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