Hyrax

 Procavia Heterohyrax Dendrohyrax

Prehistoric hyraxes

All modern hyraxes are members of the family Procaviidae (the only family within the Hyracoidea) and are found only in Africa and the Middle East. In the past, however, hyraxes were more diverse and widespread. The order first appears in the fossil record over 40 million years ago, and for many millions of years hyraxes were the primary terrestrial herbivore in Africa, just as odd-toed ungulates were in North America. There were many different species, the largest of them about the weight of a small horse.

Related Topics:
Africa - Middle East - Fossil - Odd-toed ungulate - North America

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the Miocene, however, competition from the newly-developed bovids—very efficient grazers and browsers—pushed the hyraxes out of the prime territory and into marginal niches. Nevertheless, the order remained widespread, diverse and successful as late as the end of the Pliocene (about two million years ago) with representatives throughout most of Africa, Europe and Asia.

Related Topics:
Miocene - Bovid - Pliocene - Europe - Asia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The large size of prehistoric hyraxes can help us to appreciate the remarkable fact that modern hyraxes may be the closest living relatives of the elephant. The descendants of the giant hyracoids evolved in different ways. Some became smaller, and gave rise to the modern hyrax family. Others appear to have taken to the water (perhaps like the modern capybara), and ultimately gave rise to the elephant family, and perhaps also the Sirenians (dugongs and manatees). DNA evidence supports this theory, and the small modern hyraxes share numerous features with elephants, such as toenails, sensitive pads on their feet, small tusks, and the shape of some of their bones.

Related Topics:
Elephant - Capybara - Sirenian - Toenail - Tusk - Bone

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~