hyrax

[ hahy-raks ]

noun

, plural hy·rax·es, hy·ra·ces [hahy, -r, uh, -seez].

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.

hyrax

/ ˈhaɪræks /

noun

1. 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 Also calleddassie(South African)rock rabbit

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyrax¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyrax¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek hurax shrewmouse; probably related to Latin sōrex

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

Despite their rodent-like appearance, the hyrax's nearest living relatives are elephants and they have tusk-like incisors which are larger and sharper in males.

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