hyrax

American  

[hahy-raks] / ˈhaɪ ræks /

noun

plural

hyraxes, hyraces

1. any of several species of small mammals of the order Hyracoidea, of Africa and the Mediterranean region, having short legs, ears, and tail, and hooflike nails on the toes.

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hyrax British  

/ ˈhaɪræks /

noun

1. Also called: dassie.   rock rabbit.  any agile herbivorous mammal of the family Procaviidae and order Hyracoidea, of Africa and SW Asia, such as Procavia capensis ( rock hyrax ). They resemble rodents but have feet with hooflike toes

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Etymology

Origin of hyrax

1825–35; < New Latin < Greek hýrax (genitive hýrakos ) shrewmouse

Example Sentences

Like their much larger cousins, hyraxes have strong molars to grind vegetation and two incisor teeth that grow out to tiny tusks.

From Washington Post

Kershenbaum has studied wolves in Yellowstone National Park, dolphins in the Red Sea, and small mammals called hyraxes in Israel, and the crux of his argument revolves around his experience as an evolutionary biologist.

From Salon

Keepers at Longleat Safari Park have welcomed the surprise arrival of Arabian rock hyrax triplets.

From BBC

He placed it in a satchel made of hyrax hide, warding away the bees while he gathered golden hunks of honeycomb so flavorful they left a burn in the throat like whiskey.

From Washington Post

I was in South Africa recently, and I visited Table Mountain, home to the rock hyrax, a small thing that looks like a rodent.

From Washington Post