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

The rock hyrax resembles a large guinea pig and is found throughout Africa and in parts of Asia.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2021

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 • Nov. 23, 2018

Numerous varieties of bugs and invertebrates have adapted to life here, and ibex, hyrax, wild boars, desert cats, hyenas, jackals, and wolves come to drink from the pools.

From Slate • Sep. 17, 2013

A rock hyrax, an animal the size and shape of a beaver but, oddly enough, a relative of the elephant, was sunning itself on a rock by the front gate.

From New York Times • Sep. 12, 2010

In size it must have been something like the rabbit or the hyrax.

From The Story of Evolution by McCabe, Joseph