Hyracoidea is an order of small, stout, herbivorous mammals commonly called hyraxes or dassies, placed in the family Procaviidae. Typically 30 to 70 centimeters long and weighing 2 to 5 kilograms, hyraxes resemble marmots or oversized pikas but are more closely related to elephants and sirenians, and rock-dwelling species live on outcrops such as cliffs in Ethiopia and the granite koppies of southern Africa.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Geographic DistributionAll modern hyraxes are members of the family Procaviidae, the only living family within Hyracoidea, and are found only in Africa and the Middle East. 1 Defining CharacteristicsIt includes the living hyraxes, placed within the family Procaviidae, and several extinct taxa. 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceSmall modern hyraxes share numerous features with elephants, such as toenails, excellent hearing, sensitive foot pads, small tusks, good memory and higher brain function. 1 Sources
1. Hyracoidea (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead section, first sentence
Hyracoidea is a taxonomic order of mammals.
Lead section, second sentence
It includes the living hyraxes, placed within the family Procaviidae, and several extinct taxa.
Evolutionary history section, third paragraph
the small modern hyraxes share numerous features with elephants, such as toenails, excellent hearing, sensitive pads on their feet, small tusks, good memory, higher brain functions compared with other similar mammals, and the shape of some of their bones.
Lead section, second paragraph
All modern hyraxes are members of the family Procaviidae (the only living family within Hyracoidea) and are found only in Africa and the Middle East.
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